Around 250 people packed into The White Church in Comrie last Wednesday to demand a rethink on plans to cut sheltered housing provision.
The public meeting was held in response to Caledonia Housing’s decision to close its very sheltered housing service at Cameron Court and reduce the sheltered housing service at neighbouring Tay Place and Almond Place in Comrie to amenity housing.
The community is calling on Caledonia Housing to pause its plans and work with Comrie to explore alternative, sustainable models.
Board decision and community response
Following a review, Caledonia Housing’s board this month decided to close its very sheltered housing scheme at Cameron Court, Comrie, and reduced the sheltered housing service at Tay Place and Almond Place to amenity housing. It also decided Canal Street in Perth and Corrie Place in Scone will transition to retirement housing. Existing services at these developments will continue until the end of March 2027.
Caledonia Housing’s chief executive Julie Cosgrove and executive director of operations, Jill Fraser attended the meeting alongside the chair of Comrie Development Trust Fiona Blacke, Stewart Gavigan from St Fillans, and June Brown who was the spokesperson for the tenants at Cameron Court. The meeting was chaired by Andrew Scobie, the chairman of Comrie Community Council.
Tenants and family members spoke passionately about what Cameron Court and the sheltered housing meant to the people who live there.
Community leaders speak out
Comrie Development Trust Chair Fiona Blacke said: “You could feel the strength of emotion in the room. Around 250 people came out because this matters enormously to Comrie, but the most powerful voices were those of the tenants and families themselves.
“They reminded us that this isn’t fundamentally about buildings or balance sheets.
“It is about people’s homes, their friendships, their independence and their ability to grow older in the community in which they belong.
“The message from Comrie was unmistakable: we are not prepared simply to stand by and watch this exceptional provision disappear.”
Fiona Blacke added: ”We understand that Caledonia needs its services to be sustainable. We are not asking them to ignore financial reality. We are asking them to give us the opportunity to help find a different answer.
“Comrie has something very special here. Sheltered and very sheltered housing together provide a pathway that allows people to remain part of their community as they grow older and their needs change.
“Instead of dismantling that, we want to explore whether we can work with Caledonia and other partners to create a sustainable model that protects it.
Our ambition should be bigger than simply saving Cameron Court. If we get this right, Comrie could help demonstrate a gold-standard model of community-based housing and support for older people that has relevance far beyond our village.”
Councillor and Caledonia response
Strathearn ward councillor Stewart Donaldson was “delighted and hugely impressed” by the strength of turnout.
The local SNP councillor added: “It was standing room only as I found to my cost until someone next to me had to leave and I could take their seat! It was a very packed hall, but the meeting was well conducted, and those present were considered in their contributions. That should have made an impact on the representatives from Caledonia.
“I very much hope it did, but one thing campaigners would like to see is a pause to the whole process in order that the community can consider and look at the options available. The proposed closure of Cameron Court itself is a massive blow to the people of Comrie and nearby. Our primary concern is of course for the current tenants. Yet, it is also about what happens going forward with the excellent facilities.
“And it’s not just Cameron Court, but also the proposed changes in Almond Place and Tay Place to sheltered housing provision.
“It must also be stressed that all these locations link together, with Cameron Court acting in so many ways as a community hub.”
Following the meeting Caledonia Housing Association pledged to share the views expressed with its board and to continue discussions with the community, Perth and Kinross Council, the Health and Social Care Partnership and partners.
On Thursday, a spokesperson for Caledonia Housing Association said: “We recognise the strength of feeling within the Comrie community about the future of Cameron Court and the changes to our housing services at Almond Place and Tay Place.
“Our chief executive, Julie Cosgrove, and executive director of Operations, Jill Fraser, attended last night’s public meeting to speak to tenants, families and members of the community, answer questions and listen to the concerns and alternative proposals being put forward.
“We welcomed the opportunity to hear directly from the community and respond to the questions raised. We have committed to providing further information to help explain the evidence and rationale behind the board’s decision.
“We will continue discussions with the community, Perth and Kinross Council, the Health and Social Care Partnership and other potential partners as the process progresses.
“We will ensure the views expressed at the meeting are fed back to our Management Board.”
