 On Tuesday CHAS will get 15 minutes to put their case why planning permission should be granted and it is a very strong case indeed. Never mind 15 minutes, just five minutes inside Rachel House would be enough to convince them.
It is hard to imagine any reasons for not allowing the building of a second hospice at Loch Lomond. In fact I can’t think of a single one.
Yes it is a national park and I understand their environmental concerns, but only a road-width of the six-acre site will be edging into the park.
The children of Scotland desperately need this service. It would be absolutely criminal if they do not get it.
Some of the objections seems to be based on the noise that one bureaucrat thinks will be generated by the hospice, he says it would be like building a supermarket there.
Nonsense
That’s nonsense. At Rachel House there is no noise, instead it is very peaceful and calm. It’s certainly no supermarket!
The people of Balloch have been very supportive of the new hospice and have made it clear they want it to be built there. Locals in Kinross love Rachel House and are very proud to have it in their town. I’ve no doubt the population of Balloch will feel exactly the same.
The planning director of the park authority has said another site could be found. But CHAS has looked at 47 sites and this one gives everything they need.
The building has been designed specifically to sit here and it would literally be a case of going back to the drawing board if planning permission was rejected. That would take time that we don’t have.
Rachel House is a great, fun environment that is perfect for the kids who need to go there. No-one has to be turned away but it is quickly nearing saturation point and a second facility is vital.
It would mean that instead of having eight beds for the 1300 families that need respite care, there would be twice that number. That would ease the pressure on Rachel House considerably.
I’ve been to the hospice many times but I am always struck by how it isn’t remotely grim. I am always amazed at the strength and resilience of the kids. Rachel House really is an incredible place and no-one should stand in the way of another hospice.
The film crew and I had a great time up there for two days last week. I defy anyone to go there and not be impressed by the place and the people.
It is only common sense that the planning permission for Balloch goes through and I remain optimistic that it will. Looking after our children is so important and a necessary part of our humanity.
I know that Sunday Post readers have already raised more than £1.5 million towards the new hospice. That’s an amazing amount and they can be reassured none of it will go to waste.
Surely common sense will prevail. |
You can e-mail us at:
hospice@sundaypost.com
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Ewan during a visit to Rachel House.
