By Daily Echo
Traders, politicians and residents have condemned plans to open a new support centre for addicts, homeless people and domestic violence sufferers in Bournemouth, UK.
The proposals to convert an office in Lansdowne Road into an advice and counselling centre have sparked 28 letters of objection.
Among those unhappy are council leader Stephen MacLoughlin, his fellow ward councillor Bob Chapman, the East Cliff Residents’ Association and the rabbi of a nearby Orthodox synagogue. Traders and residents have also complained, claiming that the proposed centre would be the final nail in the coffin for the area.
Rabbi Yosef Alperowitz, of the Chabad Lubavitch synagogue, said in a letter to planners: “We cannot conceive of a less satisfactory relationship between two premises than that of a drug dependency clinic and a synagogue.”
And the East Cliff Residents’ Association’s objection said: “We feel having such a centre may only increase antisocial behaviour in an area used by many vulnerable young and older people.”
Cllr Bob Chapman said there were already “far too many” rehabilitation centres in Bournemouth and added: “This will have the result of attracting more drug addicts to our town.”
The council’s economic development manager John Wicks has also voiced fears the centre could have a detrimental impact on surrounding properties.
But the charity behind the plans, Crime Reduction Initiatives, says it will do everything it can to protect residents and businesses. The charity operates from Oxford Road but is looking for bigger premises, which would also accommodate the Bournemouth Drug Intervention Programme, Domestic Abuse Services and the Street Outreach Team.
The information it has provided to the council states that there will be a range of security measures in place, including an electronically secured entrance and CCTV monitoring all those entering and leaving.
“Zero-tolerance policies are employed in regards to any drugs or alcohol found on all CRI premises.
“The staff will not be providing either food or clothing or any other ‘incentives’ that may attract people to the area.
“In short, CRI intends to address the issues of referred clients who, in adherence to the Bournemouth council Local Connection Policy, are residents in the Bournemouth area only and we will not be encouraging others from outside the area to attend.”
The application is backed by Dorset Police, which says it particularly welcomes the use of CCTV. Members of the planning board will make a decision on the application at their meeting on Monday.
