Closure threat to care unit

This is the warning from the head of the Kintyre Care Home in Milton of Campsie, a 
specialist unit for people with dementia.

His objection is one of 82 received by East Dunbartonshire Council against a bid by Cala Homes to build 55 
properties – 25 per cent of them affordable housing – on greenbelt land at Birdston Road in the village.

In his letter to the council, John Brawley, Director of 
Pacific Care said the development would have a “very negative impact on the services we offer our clients and a significant impact on our business.”

He added: “It may lead to the closure of our Kintyre Care unit with the loss of some 40 nursing jobs.”

Pacific owns Lilyburn Care Home and the adjacent 
Kintyre Care Home

Kintyre is described as a 16-bed annexe to Lillyburn, designed to offer specialist 
dementia care within a safe and comfortable environment.

The unit has been awarded a “highly recommended” rating from Stirling University and Mr Brawley said it is 
one of only two care units in Scotland to achieve this award.

He said the care home had been congratulated by East Dunbartonshire Council and the Care Inspectorate for the achievement.

Mr Brawley is objecting to the fence line on the boundary of the scheme and the location of the houses, which, he said, would overlook and overshadow 
the care unit building and courtyard.

He added: “I fear this development will have a massive impact on our clients behavioural patterns.

“Outdoor space will be very much compromised by this development and may lead to the loss of 
our rating award.

Village residents have also been protesting against the plans to build on the greenbelt land.

They turned out in force at a demonstration opposing the development last month .

They are also appealing to people to join a Facebook campaign to fight to preserve 
the greenbelt in Milton of Campsie.

Thomas Glen, Director of Development and Regeneration, said: “To date we 
have received 82 representations in relation to this 
application.

“The formal deadline for representations has passed. However, we will continue to receive representations up until noon on the day of the pre-agenda meeting of the Planning Board.

“We are currently undertaking our assessment of the proposed development in advance of the application being considered at a meeting of the Planning Board in the coming months.”