An article in the Guardian dated August 4th 2004 about the “values” associated with Care Principles’ methodology in building hospitals such as the one proposed for Brigstock Camp. The analytical concepts of U216,
are referred to in various ways in this article.
The recent planning application for the Camp was rejected by East Northamptonshire Council on 13th April 2005 (lucky 13 perhaps). The full report written by Bill Wilson, a consultant retained by the Council to investigate the application, is available on the Brigstock Camp Action Group website. The report should also be available on the Council website but their planning record search thingy is not working 🙁 It is worth a read.
The applicant subsequently appealed the rejection, as explained in a local paper.
Postscript, 17th October 2005. I have pinched the article from the Evening Telegraph and am copying it below. There were some problems linking to the article and I didn’t want local villagers to lose an opportunity to read it.
Fight goes on in care unit project
THE firm behind a plan to build a centre for teenagers with mental health problems has appealed against a council’s decision to refuse the scheme.
Last month East Northamptonshire Council’s planning committee turned down Care Principle’s application to build the centre at the former Army training camp site near the A6116 at Brigstock.
The firm has requested that a Government planning inspector decide the matter at a public inquiry.
A spokesman for Care Principles said: “We are appealing against the decision on planning and environmental grounds.
“There remains a small group of patients whose needs cannot be met in the community and who require treatment and care in large, secure hospitals.
“The development does not have a significant effect on the landscape.”
Care Principles, which manages five other units across the country, applied in August to build a home for 54 young men. The committee decided against granting permission for the camp to be built due to the environmental impact and because the development would be contrary to national healthcare policy.
Villagers opposed the proposals and the council received 88 letters of objection and two petitions containing a total of 518 signatures of residents.
Residents have vowed to continue the fight and chairman of the Brigstock Camp Action Group John Harca said: “The hub of the problem is that it was refused on planning grounds.
“The borough council, the parish council and the action group will continue to fight these proposals.”
If the planning inspectorate – the Government body in charge of planning appeals – decides to hold an inquiry, it should be heard early next year. If the scheme is turned down again, the firm can then appeal to the High Court.
An East Northamptonshire Council spokesman said: “The appeal has been confirmed but it may not take place until the end of the year.
“We have written to all of the objectors saying it’s gone to appeal and they will all be notified of the date.”
Article appeared in the Kettering Evening Telegraph on 25 May 2005.