NHS Tayside try again for access permission
New proposals mooted for near city’s Murray Royal
NHS Tayside intends to submit fresh proposals to create a new access road leading to Murray Royal Hospital following its failed attempt to get planning permission for the scheme last year, the PA has learned.
The health board bowed to pressure and withdrew its proposal to punch a hole in the wall that lines Muirhall Road and create a new road to the hospital past Pitcullen House amid controversy over a key document used to support the plan.
Reporting on the proposal last year the PA published in good faith the content of a letter supposedly written by the health board’s fire safety adviser and fire risk assessor Ian Jenkins backing the scheme.
The “justification” statement asserted Mr Jenkins’ team were “seriously concerned” about the existing access to the hospital at the bottom of Muirhall Road.
It claimed fire and rescue vehicles attending the hospital had to stop dead on a non-existent “mini-roundabout” and often collided with pillars at either side of the existing entrance.
Mr Jenkins later stated at a public meeting that he did not write the letter and the true author of the document has never been revealed.
Following an outcry the application was withdrawn, but NHS Tayside continued to pursue listed building consent to demolish a part of the hospital’s boundary wall. This was refused planning permission last year.
NHS Tayside then appealed to the Scottish Government to try to overturn the decision, but when the business of the “fake” justification statement was raised with the Planning and Environmental Appeal Division the health board withdrew the appeal too.
At a meeting of Bridgend, Gannochy and Kinnoull Community Council (BGKCC) late last month members and the public were told NHS Tayside was preparing a fresh bid to create the new access road.
There was speculation at the meeting the bid is being prepared to assist the health board in selling Pitcullen House to a property developer following its recent sale of the old Murray Royal Hospital buildings and its grounds.
Chairman Jack Rivett said the group were still trying to find out who wrote the disputed letter and revealed it had asked Perthshire North MSP John Swinney to investigate.
Mr Swinney confirmed: “I have raised my constituents’ concerns in relation to the letter allegedly written by NHS Tayside’s fire safety advisor and risk assessor with NHS Tayside.
“These are serious allegations and I await a response from NHS Tayside in relation to this matter.”
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “NHS Tayside, with advice from our property advisors, are currently reviewing options for plans relating to the access road and Pitcullen site at Murray Royal Hospital.
“Last year, we reviewed a previous planning application
Plans for an access road are being looked at with our property advisors and withdrew one specific letter, which was submitted in error as part of the justification documents.
“We have been in contact directly with BGKCC to address their concerns.”