Residents raise objections over Stirling rape victim support centre plans

PLANS to turn a mid-terraced house in a leafy riverside area of Stirling into a support centre for victims of rape have been approved by councillors despite opposition from residents, one of whom says he fears young children may be 'exposed' to the problems of sexually assaulted women.

The proposed support centre for rape victims, the property with the black door which is now purple, has received nine objections from neighbours. Picture: Google Maps

Stirling Council received nine objections to moves by Forth Valley Rape Crisis Centre (FVRCC) for change of use consent to allow the organisation to turn the house, 22 Millar Place, Riverside, Stirling, into offices and to run operate a new service from the address.

Neighbours complained that the plans could set a precedent by opening up the neighbourhood to commercial use.

Plannng officials told Stirling Council’s planning panel that the house would have no signage or indication that it was used for anything other than a residential purpose.

However, opaque glass has been installed in the bay window of the desirable post-Victorian villa, anonymous blinds have been fitted in the upstairs windows, a door-entry system has been installed, and the front door itself has been painted vivid purple -- the official colour of the International Women’s Movement.

Successfully supporting a motion to approve the centre, Stirling councillor Scott Farmer told the planning panel: “I think with the conditions recommended the residents are suitably protected and we should approve this application.”

A “quite explicit and very restrictive” condition on use of the property means that should Rape Crisis move from the property, it will have revert back to residential use.

The committee heard that Forth Valley Rape Crisis was operating office hours, and not a 24-hour crisis centre from the premises.

FVRCC took over the role of helping victims of sexual violence from Central Scotland Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre, which was based in a non-residential area near the city centre, but closed last year.

It leased the house in Millar Place and applied to the council for change of use from residential to commercial.

Last month it claimed its scheme had received “very positive feedback” from residents.

However, it later emerged that a number of objections had been lodged.

Chartered surveyor Peter Seymour, who lives at no 23, wrote saying he “strongly objects”.

He said: “Parking is already at a premium. Many residents, retired or otherwise, are at home during the day, thus allowing an office that is likely to have multiple workers, each with their own vehicles, as well as a high number of visitors, will massively impact on Millar Place residents, and all of the surrounding streets.”

Leading Scottish tourism consultant Kenneth Wardrop, a committee member of Museums Galleries Scotland, who lives nearby, said the Rape Crisis Centre would “adverse affect the local amenity and significantly change the character” of the area.

Neighbour James Wood, in a letter to the council, said that “notwithstanding... the valuable work that the service provides” he feared “a domino-effect of additional properties being used for commercial/office use within the community, thus diluting and weakening the areas’ residential character”.

He added: “The property is a mid-terrace house, with a communal access to adjacent rear gardens being through [its] garden. This communal access is used throughout the day by young children who rightfully use it to gain access to their neighbours and friends further along the street.

“My concern in this regard relates to the potential exposure of young children to the applicant’s activities.”

Margaret Dalrymple, a resident of the area since 1962, said the proposal was “most unacceptable”.

Ian Boa, also from Millar Place, said: “The presence of office facilities in the middle of a residential terrace undermines the years of community-building that has made Riverside a unique location.”

A spokesperson for FVRCC said: “Forth Valley Rape Crisis is being established to offer support for survivors of sexual violence.

“It is part of a national network of 14 centres across Scotland and will provide this much-needed service to people in Stirling and across the Forth Valley area.

We would be happy to meet up with anyone who raised objections to the establishment of the new centre and would be glad to answer any questions.”

The Scotsman’s EU Referendum page: Keep up to date with latest news, polls and features.

DOWNLOAD THE SCOTSMAN APP ON ITUNES OR GOOGLE PLAY