NHS left out of decision on houses

NHS Tayside and the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) were not approached for further feedback on a major housing development recently approved by Perth and Kinross Council (PKC).

Both health bodies were criticised at last month’s PKC planning and development management committee for not engaging as much as councillors would like.

But PKC has now admitted it had not consulted with either NHS Tayside or Perth and Kinross HSCP on the Crieff development since 2017.

The issue was brought to the fore at the planning and development management committee on April 29 when councillors unanimously approved the erection of 246 homes in south west Crieff, which will form the first of four phases.

But the approval was not given without some concern first being aired about input from NHS Tayside and the Perth and Kinross HSCP.

Cllr Callum Purves drew attention to the fact PKC’s report stated“neither NHS Tayside or the Perth and Kinross Healthcare and Social Partnership (HCSP) provided detailed feedback at the time of the site being allocated within LDP2 (local development plan 2) on whether there may be an impact will be on the local health infrastructure.”

Convener Roz McCall said:“I am well aware that NHS do not engage as much as we would like with plans. We cannot hold up applications because NHS are not responding. We do have applications to process.”

Cllr Eric Drysdale, who chairs the HSCP and sits on the NHS Tayside board, said he thought they had responded.

Planning officer Kristian Smith said he was not aware of them responding to the latest local development plan and this specific site.

Mr Smith said that since they had not made any adverse comments, if there should be any adverse effects on the healthcare system“that would be for them to absorb.”

But a spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council has now told the PA:“The council consulted with both NHS Tayside (regarding public health matters) and the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership in November 2017, during preparation of the recently adopted local development plan 2.

“No concerns were raised at that time by the HSCP in relation to the proposed allocation of this site for housing and any subsequent need for additional community healthcare services.

“The site was consequently allocated without any requirement for developer contributions in this respect. On that basis, no further consultation was carried out in relation to this subsequent planning application.”

NHS Tayside declined to comment.