Villagers fight drug rehab plan (From Chelmsford Weekly News)

Villagers fight drug rehab plan

1:07pm Friday 3rd July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

AN action group has been set up to fight the opening of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic in Galleywood.

Villagers were furious to find the clinic had opened, although the planning permission for the change of use of the property, in the Street, had a condition it was to be used as a dermatology clinic.

The company behind the clinic, the Perry Clayman Project, has now put in a retrospective application asking for a variation in the permission that would allow it to open as the rehabilitation clinic.

Jill Bellamy, who lives close to the clinic, has already collected 600 signatures in a petition which will be presented to Chelmsford Council when it comes to debate the application.

She said: “It is just not the right location for this type of clinic. We are also angry it opened without the correct planning permission.

“We did not have a problem with a dermatology clinic.”

Mrs Bellamy claimed those attending the clinic were staying in a property nearby and going to the centre each day.

She said: “I can hear them making a noise in the garden area and our quality of life has been affected.”

Mrs Bellamy’s daughter, Sharon Cooper, who also lives in the Street, added: “There are young children and teenagers in this residential area. It is just not the right place.

“I saw a man trying to get over my wall to retrieve a silver foil ball they were kicking about that had come over. It frightened the life out of me.”

A meeting of Galleywood Parish Council’s planning committee is being held on July 16 to discuss the retrospective application, which villagers are being urged to attend.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)