Residents’ Fears Over ‘Risk’ Kids

Residents in Upper Achintore have launched a vigorous campaign to prevent a residential care home for children opening in their neighbourhood. They are up in arms over the proposal by the organisation Wild2 Projects to turn a house into a care facility for a maximum of five 11-18 year old ‘at risk’ youngsters.

The residents have formed an action group and are lobbying local and national politicians to “do something” to prevent the care home opening. A public meeting was held last Friday, attended by six Lochaber Highland councillors and a representative from Wild2 Projects.

Residents claim they feel threatened by a care home opening in a quiet residential area. Mark McCann, who lives in Cromarty Crescent, said: “All the people concerned and affected are elderly, most in their 70s, and many live alone. They are in a state of fear and apprehension, worried sick by what the future might hold for them.

“Some have said they will have to move, but why should they? All they wish for is the continuation of their quiet lives. If this project goes ahead, then property prices would certainly fall, not just in Cromarty Crescent, but also in the area as a whole. If allowed to make this inroad into residential areas who knows where next will they cause stress and worry and devaluation of property.”

Mr McCann, a JP and spokesman for the action group which has residents from neighbouring streets Zetland Avenue, Sutherland Avenue, Caithness Place and Lochaber Road, said consideration was being given to an Upper Achintore-wide petition and leaflet campaign.

An information leaflet distributed recently by residents, urges people to “stop this happening now, before it’s too late”. It claims the property will house “delinquent children”, and adds: “The residents of Cromarty Crescent are all senior citizens; many are concerned for their own safety. Will their property be safe? Will their car be safe from vandalism? Considering the sort of youngsters to be housed, as stated on their (Wild2 Projects) website, no-one, or anything will be safe.”

The action group say they are astonished the development does not require change of use planning permission from Highland Council.

Susan Poole, the council’s local principal planning officer confirmed: “Class 9 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order 1997 allows for the use of a house for up to five residents living together communally as a single household without requiring planning permission for a change of use to a residential institution… the purpose of this provision within national planning legislation was to facilitate the integration within the community of vulnerable people in small group homes.”

Wild2 Projects, which also trades under the name Wild2Learn, is regulated by the Care Commission, the national watchdog body.

Establishing a residential children’s unit in Lochaber has long been on the local political agenda to ensure children from the area did not have to travel long distances when received into care.

Highland Council has confirmed it is willing to purchase places in the Wild2 Projects’ home in Fort William on a “spot basis”. It is understood that Argyll and Bute Council may also be willing to purchase places.

Speaking to the Lochaber News, Gary Johnson of Wild2 Projects hoped the new Fort William home would be operational by October this year. He understood residents might be apprehensive, but said this was likely to be based on misinformation and a “fear of the unknown”.

“There is a tendency to demonise children in care which is really unfortunate,” he said. “Statistically only three per cent of children in care have any sort of criminal record. The vast majority of youngsters in care are there because they need protected; they are the ones at risk. We provide a place where they can live in safety, free from the threat of abuse – physical or sexual – and we provide them with a positive environment.

“It’s about building trust and building self-confidence in the children. Predominantly, the children who will be housed at Cromarty Crescent will be from the local area.”

Mr Johnson, who attended the public meeting, added: “There is no such thing as an ideal location. Some people think it would be best if children are kept hidden away in remote locations. We believe often it is best to maintain local links – with schools, social or sporting groups and also with family.

“It is not in our interests to have problems. We’re about minimising problems and we want to be a good neighbour. I think the neighbours are obviously manifesting fears they have within themselves. They are reacting to uncertainty of how they are going to be affected. We will sit down with anyone who wants to discuss things. I hear about the cost to individuals, such as house prices or insurance premiums. I often think we forget about the cost to society of not doing something to help children who are often in desperate situations.”

Fort William Highland councillor, Donald Cameron said: “We have sympathy with the local residents. This facility is badly needed in Lochaber as children are having to go outwith the area too often, but local councillors agree this is not a suitable site and regret the company didn’t contact us to help find a better location.”