Children's care home rejection taken to appeal

A bid has been lodged to overturn a council's refusal of plans to create a children's residential care home in a tiny hamlet in southern Scotland.

Dumfries and Galloway Council (DGC) rejected proposals to convert Corbridge House in Milton near Crocketford into a facility which could host up to four young people with complex needs.

Applicants CareTech argued that the building was ideal for a care home given its "tranquil yet easily accessible setting".

However, councillors concluded the area was "not capable of properly supporting" the development and turned it down. An appeal has now been lodged with the Scottish government.

The application for the care home went before councillors in September with a recommendation to approve.

However, it prompted dozens of objections arguing it would be "completely incompatible with the existing peaceful ambience of the area".

They also raised concerns about the traffic impact and noise levels as a result of the development.

A council report said other issues highlighted - including the potential for children to abscond, fears for the safety of pets and the potential for livestock disturbance - were not planning matters which could be considered.

Officers concluded that "on balance" the application was compliant with the development plan for the area and could be approved subject to conditions.

Planning committee councillors did not agree and decided to refuse the scheme but developers will now seek to overturn that verdict with the Scottish government.