Fingers crossed as
plans go before Parks Authority Hoping for the best Christmas gift ever
THE BEST Christmas
present ever — that’s what the CHAS kids are hoping for as the
dream of a new hospice moves another step closer to reality.
 Next week the plans for the proposed hospice building at Balloch, on the banks of Loch Lomond, go before a special hearing of the National Parks Authority.
The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park — Scotland’s first — was set up in July and now has the final say on whether the hospice plans are approved.
The proposals have already been before West Dunbartonshire Council, which has made its recommendations. And everyone at CHAS is optimistic they’ll know by Christmas if they’ve got the go-ahead.
That could mean work starting on the site next spring — although it had originally been hoped to be on site by now. The application was submitted in March, after a year-long search for a suitable site.
The establishment of the National Park delayed the process, but CHAS Chief Executive Agnes Malone said, “We’re delighted we at last have a date for a planning hearing.
“It’s a major landmark in our bid to create a new hospice. Families with children affected by a life-threatening condition will have their fingers crossed.”
Some of those families will be at the meeting to lend their support, including Robyn Watterson, the little girl with Hurler’s Disease who has become a symbol of the hospice campaign.
Agnes said, “I’ll be there, as will members of the CHAS board and as many Rachel House families as can make it. Of course, it all depends on how well the children are — three had to drop out of meeting Princess Anne, who opened Rachel House, when she came to open the National Park.”
CHAS are confident of local support, too. Agnes said, “There has already been tremendous support.
“In the year prior to announcing we had chosen Balloch as the site, and The Sunday Post taking up our cause, people in West Dunbartonshire raised £29,000 for us. In the year after, it rose to £203,000.
“We’ve had backing from local politicians and the Naval base at Faslane raised £20,000.”
Representations are believed to have been made opposing the plans, but Agnes said, “I haven’t met with any opposition. In fact, people keep ringing up and asking when work will be starting.
“The Parks Authority have been supportive and helpful.
“It’s up to us to prove the hospice is needed — these children can’t wait.”
 The planning hearing will be held in Alexandria Parish Church in Balloch at 1.30 pm on Tuesday December 10. The meeting is open to the public. |
You can e-mail us at:
hospice@sundaypost.com
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