Health bosses give assurances as Glenartney plan gets go ahead
Residents living near new accommodation for health staff in Brodick have been assured there will be no noise and nuisance issues from those living there.
Permission has been granted to North Ayrshire Council to convert the former Glenartney guesthouse into short term/ overnight staff accommodation for Health and Social Care Partnership staff providing vital care services on the island
The property has 13 bedrooms and although occupancy levels may vary, permission to utilise all the bedrooms has been granted.
Staff will use the property for overnight stays in line with shift cover and service needs, however, staff will not be occupying the property on a long-term basis and the property will not be anyone’s main residence.
The Mid Mayish property was previously a popular guesthouse, however, in 2022, it changed to a residential dwelling but has now been approved as a house of multiple occupancy.
Ahead of change of use permission being granted the council supplied further information to planning officials in response to representations received.
The council officials stated: “We were conscious neighbours may have some queries regarding the planned use of the property and are happy to provide information that will hopefully allay any concerns.
“Although the property was previously only operated during peak times by the owners, this was a purely commercial decision.
“The use was not restricted in any way and could have been used all year round if this had been viable. “Although it is perhaps a change in the operating model, we are keen to ensure this does not impact adversely on neighbours’ enjoyment of their property.
“Our staff are dedicated to providing vital services to the local community and we are happy to provide assurance that they will conduct themselves appropriately in and around the property. Any behaviour which causes undue disturbance will not be tolerated.
“We have not installed any new lighting to the premises, however, if existing light fittings are causing a nuisance, we will be happy to review the locations of these and make any appropriate adjustments. “The annex unit is planned to receive some external improvements in the first instance and, if it is to be brought back into use for accommodation, we will ensure it is compliant with all relevant legislation before doing so.
“There are no marked bays within the curtilage of the site, however, five is a conservative estimate of the number of cars that can be accommodated. “It is not anticipated that the majority of staff using the facility will regularly bring vehicles onto the island, or require to bring them to the premises.
“We will however monitor the numbers of vehicles on-site and ensure that we mitigate any impact on the surrounding roads.
“There is public parking available a short distance from the site and ‘overspill’ cars will be directed to use these spaces. “We are happy to confirm that the building is intended for the exclusive use of HSCP health and social care staff.
“We have recently appointed two housekeepers to manage the house and the building will be closely monitored both on site by the housekeepers and by Health and Social Care Partnership management staff to ensure it delivers its potential to positively benefit to the community.”
The change of use was granted with the following condition: “That the use hereby approved shall be limited only to overnight or short term staff accommodation by staff employed by or acting on behalf of the Health and Social Care Partnership and for no other purpose.”