Pickaquoy Trust gain pitch permission

The Pickaquoy Trust has been granted planning permission for two grass pitches on the Corse West site – one of the three sites being considered for the replacement Balfour Hospital.

NHS Orkney objected to the application on the grounds that the proposal could jeopardise its proposals for a new hospital.

A report before councillors at the OIC planning committee meeting today, Wednesday, said that the Trust has been in discussion with NHS Orkney on the issue, but asked for their application to move forward in the planning process.

During discussions, Alastair Banks, from the planning department of the council, said that it was possible for two proposals to be granted planning permission on the same site, and it would then be for the landowner, in this case the OIC, to decide which would be allowed to progress.

Trust member Stephen Kemp told committee members that the application was going forward to deal with the situation if NHS Orkney did not select Corse West as the new hospital site.

Mr Kemp told the committee that there is a great demand for new playing surfaces at the facility. The application was for two full-size rugby pitches, which may also be used for other sports.