Councillors were “misled” over plans to convert a Weymouth bed and breakfast into an alcohol and drug recovery centre, it has been claimed.
Members of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s planning committee hit out at Dorset County Council’s (DCC) proposals to turn 22 Abbotsbury Road into a recovery facility during a heated discussion as they voted unanimously to recommend that it withdraws the application and finds an alternative location.
At a meeting yesterday (4), DCC was accused of being ‘arrogant’ and ignoring concerns raised by residents and borough councillors.
The county council won £620,000 of funding from Public Health England in February to purchase and re-develop the property.
Property owners in the area spoke out about how they feel it should be kept as a guest house, or risk having an adverse affect on neighbours and business at other hotels.
Cllr Christine James, the borough council’s spokesman for social inclusion, claimed the county council was using Weymouth as a ‘dumping ground’ and said it was not clear on its public consultation process.
She said: “I firmly believe that we were misled. We told the county council that they needed to consult with residents. There is a need for this facility but it is in the wrong place. It would be better placed in Dorchester where it is near a hospital and other facilities.”
A report put together by DCC said the recovery hub will have a positive impact on the community with users potentially taking up volunteering or joining civic groups, to which Cllr James said: “It is not their community.”
She added: “The arrogance of DCC to put this on Weymouth residents. The whole thing stinks.
“We need to write a strongly worded letter to the county council because they are clearly not listening.”
Cllr Margaret Leicester said putting the hub in an area where there is prominent drug use and dealing is “not ideal” for its potential users.
During a meeting held last week to discuss a petition opposing the conversion which has now garnered more than 700 signatures, DCC said that planning approval was not guaranteed and that it was not a ‘done deal’.
Borough council planning committee chairman Cllr Mark Tewkesbury said: “If this isn’t the right location then an alternative location needs to be found urgently.”
The committee unanimously voted to put forward objections to DCC on the grounds that the Abbotsbury Road site is not the right location and will result in an ‘inappropriate’ lack of tourist accommodation.
The committee also recommends that the application should be withdrawn and an alternative location found immediately.
The county council will consider the application in due course.
Speaking after the meeting, resident Andreas Sheffler, who has more than 10 years experience working with people with substance abuse and has actively campaigned against the proposals for 22 Abbotsbury Road, said of the borough council’s recommendation: “We are absolutely delighted, it is a really positive result. All our points have been acknowledged by the borough councillors.
“We don’t know what will happen now but we are very happy.”
Article originally appeared on Dorset Echo
The Institute cannot confirm the accuracy of this story or confirm that it presents a balanced view. If you feel this is inaccurate we would welcome your perspective and evidence that this is the case.
