Order to protect trees

ANGUS Council has moved to ensure trees i n K i r r i e mu i r a r e n o t removed or harmed by development.

Members of the development standards committee approved plans to protect trees at 13 and 15 Kinnordy Road after a planning application proposed f elling some of them.

The application, which related to a single house in the front garden of Glenwood, Kinnordy Road, was withdrawn but officials recommended councillors take steps to save the trees from f uture development.

While the planning application i n question only related to Glenwood, the council’s head of housing Stewart Ball said it was prudent to make a tree protection order which also extended to Glenhill.

The move is part of the council’s development plan policy which calls for the protection and enhancement of woodland, trees and hedges that contribute to the nature conservation, heritage, amenity, townscape or landscape value of Angus.

Dr George Howson told a fatal accident inquiry into the death of Dale Thomson that the 28-year-old did not meet the criteria to be detained at the Carseview Centre.

Dale, of Charleston, was first admitted to the mental health centre on January 8 2015 but discharged himself two days later after becoming frustrated about what he felt was a lack of treatment.

He was again referred to the clinic on January 22 and after an appointment at Carseview the following day he was again allowed to leave.

Dale was found dead by his mum, Mandy McLaren, 49, in his home on January 27 that year — leaving behind a one-year-old daughter, Evi.

His family believe he should have been detained under the Mental Health Act and forced to stay at Carseview.

A fatal accident inquiry is being held at Dundee Sheriff Court to establish the circumstances surrounding Dale’s death.

Resuming after an adjournment earlier in the year, the inquiry heard from Dr Howson, 33, who was the consultant psychiatrist on call at Carseview on January 10.

He was called to the ward to see another patient but was approached by t wo concerned nurses who informed him about Dale’s intention to leave Carseview.

Dr Howson said it was up to the junior doctor on duty to deal with the situation.

The court heard claims that Dale had threatened to “burn houses down” and expressed suicidal thoughts while in Carseview.

Danny Devine, the solicitor representing Dale’s family at the inquiry, said: “Why did you not consider any follow-up care for Dale Thomson?”

A DOCTOR said he had no “significant concerns” about a man who killed himself days after leaving a Dundee mental health facility.