By-pass route decision brings relief

The then Minister for Transport’s decision not to put the Aberdeen by-pass through Camphill’s special needs communities at Bieldside came as an enormous relief for the many thousands of Save Camphill supporters. This would have been the most damaging route imaginable, driving a near motorway-standard road:

• between two communities which are home to 150 vulnerable children and adults with complex special needs
• through a substantial part of the Camphill Rudolf Steiner Schools’ Murtle campus which is home to more than 40 vulnerable children
• within 100 metres of the bedrooms of vulnerable children with severe learning disabilities, including autism.

However, the Minister’s chosen route by Milltimber Brae, potentially threatens Camphill Estate. Also a campus of Camphill Rudolf Steiner Schools, Camphill Estate is home to around 40 vulnerable children and the co-workers who live with and care for them.

From the Scottish Executive’s indicative map, the proposed by-pass would be on the opposite side of the existing B979 road.

On that basis, Save Camphill would hope to be able to work with the road team to ensure that the design, including mitigation measures, has no significant detrimental impact on the vulnerable children living on Camphill Estate.

However, if the road does encroach on the Camphill Estate it would undoubtedly impact on the lives of the children for whom Camphill is home.

Should this happen, the tranquil therapeutic environment which has benefited hundreds of children over the past 66 years, would – in the opinion of Camphill Medical Practice and international experts in learning disabilities and autism – be devastated.

The complex medical and psychological conditions of the children at Camphill Estate is characterised by severe sensory problems, including hyperacusis (an abnormal sensitivity to noise).

Disturbance, change in the settled environment and noise are all likely to trigger regression in behaviour. This, in turn, would have a severe impact not only on the children, but also on the lives of families who rely on Camphill.

In addition, many of the children at Camphill have little or no understanding of danger. Some are fearful and some are fascinated by traffic. The risks of a road in close proximity to ingenious, fascinated and unaware children are simply too great to contemplate.

The international significance of Camphill Estate is hard to underestimate. This is where the worldwide Camphill Movement began and from where it takes its name.

Camphill Estate is a living memorial to the Camphill pioneers, who escaped from Nazi persecution in 1939 to establish their first community dedicated to caring for children with special needs.

As such, relocation is not an option, even if it were possible to find a willing Aberdeen host community which would welcome a community of the size and nature of Camphill Estate into its midst.

• For the good of the current and future generations of vulnerable children at Camphill Estate.
• For the continuance of the work of the Camphill pioneers and their living memorial.
• For the continuing inspiration that the international Camphill Movement draws from the place of its birth.
• And for the image of Scotland internationally as a country that guards the interests of its most vulnerable.

For all these reasons and more, Save Camphill will remain vigilant over the potential threat to Camphill Estate.