Ambulance decision on hold

Sharon Thompson • Published 18 Mar 2010 12:34 0 Comments

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THE future of Helensburgh's ambulance station will not be decided for at least another FIVE weeks, it was revealed at a meeting last Thursday.

Despite the claims it is "a life or death issue which must be approved", three councillors sitting on the Local Review Body chose not to approve or reject the appeal at the public meeting held in the Victoria Halls last week.

Instead, they are calling for the council's planning authority to carry out an exercise where they identify which conditions could possibly be attached to the application, should permission be granted.

Representatives from interested parties attended the meeting, including Helensburgh Community Council, the Scottish Ambulance Service and their agents, Atkins, Development Services Manager for Argyll and Bute Council Ross McLaughlin, Conservation officer Michael Thorndyke and Councillor George Freeman.

Each were given the chance to speak about the proposed new-build ambulance station, which had its application rejected last year, and make their case for approving or indeed rejecting the appeal.

The Helensburgh Community Council admitted there was much common ground between the groups, and added they would like the ambulance station - which was described as secretary Kathleen Siddle as an "ugly, shed-like building" - kept within the site, but moved from its proposed location so that it doesn't obstruct any view towards the B-listed William Lieper designed hospital.

Meanwhile Atkins and the ambulance service revealed this is the ONLY piece of land offered by NHS Highland so looking at the alternatives on the site was purely an academic exercise.

They confirmed the Scottish Ambulance Service's current facility is not fit for purpose and said they expect this new ambulance station to serve the people of Helensburgh and the local area for around 35 years.

The need to address parking problems at the existing site was also important, they said.

"SAS is failing to meet statutory call out targets due to the severe parking issues affecting the grounds of Victoria Infirmary which are impeding ambulance response times.

"The need to improve this situation is now an urgent requirement for the SAS if they are to continue to have a much needed facility in Helensburgh and the Lomond area as well as accord with healthcare legislation."

SAS spokesperson Garry Fraser outlined the need to have the station in the particular location within the site.

"Seconds and minutes matter when it comes to saving lives and this is why we have placed the ambulance station at this position because we need the best and quickest access to the road.

"No decontamination facilities are available at the current station, meaning that ambulances have to make the trip to the VOLH to undergo infection control procedures.

"There is strong community support and we are very keen to keep the ambulance facility within Helensburgh."

And Councillor George Freeman reiterated the need for the appeal to be granted.

He said: "If the appeal is rejected there is no guarantee that the service could be retained within the Helensburgh area.

"In my view this is an application where the needs of the community outweigh the considerations of the listed building which is already degraded.

"The public have been infuriated with the council's decision to refuse this application.

"I have no doubt that the public would never forgive the council if Helensburgh/Helensburgh and Lomond was to lose such a vital service.

"I believe it is totally unacceptable that complying with planning policy is considered more important than the retention of an essential emergency service in the largest town in Argyll and Bute, that serves approximately 30 per cent of Argyll and Bute."

Ross McLaughlin, development services manager for Argyll and Bute council said they do not dispute the needs and the benefits of them [the SAS] being at the site.

"It's simply the position of the building; I stress we could like to sit down with them and discuss alternatives for the site."

In a statement contained within the hearing statements by Argyll and Bute council, the building was described as "purely functional, with little architectural merit."

Added was: "Siting a building of this massing, scale and design at this location would reduce this area of open space and reduce the open aspect of the main approach to the building, as well as obscuring views of the listed building, consequently affecting its setting."

Councillor Danny Kelly, who is chairing the Local Review Board, said that due to the process the planning application would now have to go through, it would be at least five weeks until a decision is made.

Nigel Millar from the Community Council stated near to the closure of the meeting: "It's time to sit up and put the people of Helensburgh first and our interests a very poor second."

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