Kirktonhill resident James Sheils; Dunmore, the house in question; Kirktonhill in days gone by, and the logo of the Church of Scotland.
By Bill Heaney
Despite bitter opposition from residents, CrossReach, the operating name of the Social Care Council of the Church of Scotland, have lodged a new application for planning permission to use a luxury £450,000 house in Kirktonhill as a children’s home.
Residents of Helenslee Road have accused the Church of being economical with the truth in their description of the home as a harmless venture where there will be little or no inconvenience or trouble for families resident in the area.
These residents have been in close touch with West Dunbartonshire Council’s planning department to let them know their concerns about the matter.
And pointed out that planning authorities in other parts of Scotland have not welcomed similar applications from the Kirk.
They claim clever wording of the new application conceals the actuality of what is planned for this house.
And that it will have house teenagers who have been remanded to secure premises after being in trouble with the law.
CrossReach are disappointed at this reaction of residents to their plan to move these troubled children into a peaceful part of Dumbarton, which they claim is the reality of the situation..
The residents’ spokesperson James Sheils, has claimed the Kirk is attempting to circumvent the planning process in Dumbarton by making the application simple and straightforward.
CrossReach applied for a different kind of permission called a Certificate of Lawful Use, which led them to receive permission on appeal and take up occupancy of two other houses for a similar purpose, one in Stirling and the other in East Dunbartonshire.
They have now updated that and told the Council they will be going for full planning permission, which they believe is appropriate.
A spokesman for CrossReach, the operating name of the Social Care Council of the Church of Scotland, said: “CrossReach is a social care provider with compassion at the heart of its ethos and we are saddened by the reaction to our modest plans to provide a safe and secure home for four children.
“Scottish Government guidance specifically states that the ‘single household concept provides more certainty over the planning position of small group homes, which play a major role in the government’s Community Care Policy aimed at enabling vulnerable people to live in touch with the community’.
“CrossReach has engaged with local residents and has been in dialogue with West Dunbartonshire Council over the past few months.
“It has submitted a planning application for a Certificate of Lawful Use which will be considered by the planning authority in due course.”
The residents are concerned at media reports about similar houses where there have been late night disturbances and high numbers of police visits following searches for runaway children.
CrossReach hopes to pair the house at Helenslee Road with a new education facility it has built across the River Clyde at Erskine.