Hospital application approved by planning committee

A planning application which will allow for work to start on Kirkwall’s new hospital and healthcare facility was passed, somewhat reluctantly, by members of Orkney Islands Council’s planning committee.

The plans for the new hospital, which is to be built at New Scapa Road, had already been given planning permission in principle by the council in 2014, however approval of the application, which came before the committee this morning, was also required for the build to proceed.

There were two formal objections to the plans, both from residents of Scapa Court, next door to the site. One of the objectors, Keith Moar, spoke at the meeting and set out that the hospital, and an adjacent path, would overlook the nearby houses and there were also concerns about lighting and flooding.

A number of councillors were also highly critical of there being no representative from the group in charge of the new build, Robertson Construction, present to answer questions, with councillor Harvey Johnston saying he felt the absence of a representative was due either to “ignorance, arrogance or apathy.”

Councillors Bill Stout added that he they felt the committee members had to approve the application to further avoid delaying the construction by “months if not years.”

Approval of the application was granted, with amendments. The new Balfour hospital is due for completion in 2018.