Over 200 jobs have been saved at a Scottish disability charity after it secured a new site for a “landmark care project”.
Yesterday, Capability Scotland announced that it had reached an agreement on the future location of its Our Inclusive Community Project (OICP) in Perth.
OICP is Capacity Scotland’s largest service provision and aims to integrate nearly 100 disabled people into their local communities.
The charity previously decided to move OICP away from its current Upper Springland site, which it has occupied for decades, due to the facility being obsolete and an ongoing risk of flooding from the River Tay.
Capacity Scotland originally secured an agreement with a developer to move it to Bertha Park, but later dropped the plan as increased costs and logistical challenges had made that site “an increasingly unviable option”.
The charity has now confirmed that Perth and Kinross Council has given it the go-ahead to move OICP to Glover Street, “with a memorandum of understanding expected soon”.
Council played a ‘pivotal role’
Capacity Scotland said Perth and Kinross Council played “a pivotal role” in identifying and progressing the new location.
The Glover Street site, which was identified after “a wide-ranging assessment”, offers a financially sustainable and integrated location, it said.
“It also presents the opportunity to use public land and apply competitive tendering processes that help ensure affordability throughout development,” the charity added.
The next steps include the development of a minute of agreement with the council that will confirm the location of the new site.
‘Positive and progressive decision’
Brian Logan, chief executive of Capability Scotland, said: “This is a positive and progressive decision by Perth and Kinross Council and we wholeheartedly welcome it.
“This location offers an opportunity for long-term sustainability and integration and will allow us to deliver a modern, inclusive community for people with complex needs.
“Now, we’re in a strong position to move forward at pace, and although we have much work to do, our hope is that we can deliver the new community by 2028.”
Grant Laing, leader of Perth and Kinross Council, said: “This is about protecting what matters most – people, relationships, and the support networks that help individuals thrive.
“For many of Capability Scotland’s residents and staff, Perth isn’t just a location – it’s home.
“Their lives are rooted here, and this proposal ensures they can remain part of the community they know and trust.”
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