Plan for Blackburn rehab village 'dropped'

4:49pm Tuesday 16th October 2012 in News

CONFUSION reigns over plans to build a drugs rehabilitation village in an area of Blackburn.

Blackburn with Darwen Council, which was in discussions with developer Cunningham Hart Investments over the former Scotland Bank Mill site in Heys Lane, Ewood, said it was its understanding that the idea had been dropped.

But when asked by the Lancashire Telegraph, the developer said no decision would be made ‘until November.’

Residents living in Ewood had campaigned against the facility, which was proposed to be the biggest of its kind in East Lancashire, catering for hundreds of addicts a year with 24 detox units, 18 bedsits and 18 flats.

It was widely claimed that the development was ‘totally unsuitable’ and was also ‘too large’ for the site.

Ewood Councillor Maureen Bateson said: “The council’s understanding is that the developers have pulled out.“There was a lot of public opposition to the intentions, and I think the developers were taken aback by the strength of feeling.

“Very few people were in favour and there were lots and lots of concerns, because it’s a very densly populated site.”

A spokesman for Cunningham Hart Investments said: “At the moment, no decision has been made.

“We are still evaluating the feedback received from local residents.”

Comments (5)

11:03pm Tue 16 Oct 12

woolywords says...

If Cunningham Hart were to submit plans for a number of one and two bedroomed flats, with view to them being let to tenants who were working and had signed a tenancy agreement that included an immediate eviction clause where someone was convicted of a crime, then I'm certain that the local residents would give it full support.
To have a development as was planned, in effect 'dumped' on residents, is assured of a NIMBY attitude, especially when there was no prior consultation with locals.
Someone badly misjudged the current climate towards drug abusers, who are in effect, a victim of their own lifestyle choices and would directly affect those whom had made a substantial monetary investment in the area, without any government handouts.
I think that my solution would gain approval both with residents and council alike, since it caters for a need that the current market sadly lacks.
If Cunningham Hart were to submit plans for a number of one and two bedroomed flats, with view to them being let to tenants who were working and had signed a tenancy agreement that included an immediate eviction clause where someone was convicted of a crime, then I'm certain that the local residents would give it full support. To have a development as was planned, in effect 'dumped' on residents, is assured of a NIMBY attitude, especially when there was no prior consultation with locals. Someone badly misjudged the current climate towards drug abusers, who are in effect, a victim of their own lifestyle choices and would directly affect those whom had made a substantial monetary investment in the area, without any government handouts. I think that my solution would gain approval both with residents and council alike, since it caters for a need that the current market sadly lacks. woolywords

8:27am Wed 17 Oct 12

2 for 5p says...

These sort of things should be built in the countryside away from built up areas.
These sort of things should be built in the countryside away from built up areas. 2 for 5p

9:23am Wed 17 Oct 12

bow1974 says...

I'd just give them all a leathel injection job done millions of pounds a year saved crime rates halved.
I'd just give them all a leathel injection job done millions of pounds a year saved crime rates halved. bow1974

3:56pm Wed 17 Oct 12

Davelyn says...

I think there are enough drop outs, crack heads, lay abouts and people who are useless to society in Blackburn without making a village for them. How about Dartmoor right in the bl00dy middle. And for all the goody goody people out there show your true colours and invite a few to live with you!!!
I think there are enough drop outs, crack heads, lay abouts and people who are useless to society in Blackburn without making a village for them. How about Dartmoor right in the bl00dy middle. And for all the goody goody people out there show your true colours and invite a few to live with you!!! Davelyn

4:26pm Wed 17 Oct 12

vegeboy says...

bow1974 wrote:
I'd just give them all a leathel injection job done millions of pounds a year saved crime rates halved.
lets hope you never fall victim to addictions then .
[quote][p][bold]bow1974[/bold] wrote: I'd just give them all a leathel injection job done millions of pounds a year saved crime rates halved.[/p][/quote]lets hope you never fall victim to addictions then . vegeboy

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