Concerns about residents are unwarranted

I FEEL compelled to write my first letter to the editor following on from the public meeting about the proposed housing development at Wirksworth, Bellerive.

As a teacher I have stayed at Wirksworth several times since the 1960s with groups of children. However in recent years I have not noticed much use of the grounds surrounding the house. I live at Rosny and six years ago a nearby nursing home was acquired by Anglicare, to provide accommodation for disadvantaged people. Many residents attended meetings to voice their disapproval — the main concern being personal safely. The change of use went ahead and the Belleview Lodge has now existed for over five years. As a nearneighbour I have had no issues with the clients in residence there.

At the recent meeting it was suggested that all future residents of the Wirksworth complex should have a police check because of the proximity to Clarence High School. When we moved into our current house, no one asked us to provide a good character reference. Have all the residents in Bellerive had police checks?

I wonder how many would feel offended if they had to undergo such a check before they could move in the area as a private resident?

Kym Goodes (Talking Point June 29) sums up my feelings. Wouldn’t we all want to ensure there is support if some life-changing event happened to us?