Anger at site for city rehab unit
RESIDENTS blasted plans for a rehab unit for drug addicts minutes from a Glasgow school.
They feared ‘sex offenders and arsonists’ could also be housed on the site – a claim denied by the company responsible for the unit.
The head of the school, Kay Dingwall, said the siting was “absolutely crazy”.
A KNIGHTSWOOD head teacher has slammed plans for a rehab unit for drug addicts minutes from her school.
Kay Dingwall, head of Knightswood Secondary, was speaking at a residents meeting in Anniesland Road yesterday where it emerged there were also fears sex offenders would be treated at the site.
The plans to move Phoenix Futures’ drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility into the former Munro Court Care Home – a seven-minute walk from the school – were blasted by residents.
One resident’s claims “sex offenders and arsonists” could also be housed on the site sent shockwaves through the almost 100-strong crowd, which said elected members jobs were “on the line” if the move was not stopped.
Ms Dingwall said: “I think the siting of this is absolutely crazy. My young people will walk, unfortunately, to McDonald’s [and pass the facility].
“We have seven young people who are currently working with Addaction because they are addicted to hash or cannabis. I’m not saying if that’s not there they won’t still go on that journey... but it will put our young people at a greater risk.”
The security of residents and those of the nearby Castlebank Gardens Retirement Housing was also said to be a top priority for the group, who feared rehab residents being allowed out without supervision.
One resident told councillors Elspeth Kerr, Paul Carey and Baillie Malcolm Balfour: “The most important thing you should be worried about is us.
“In this area there are four schools and nurseries. Who in their right mind approved this? This is your jobs on the line.
“If this is allowed to happen, we won’t forget it.”
It is understood the facility would not be required to apply for change of use consent as it’s activities fall under the care home category, meaning it wold not go before Glasgow City Council’s planning committee.
However, the councillors alongside representatives from MSP Bill Kidd’s office agreed they would stand united to oppose the move regardless and a public committee was set up to quiz the facility organisers at a later meeting.
A spokesman for Phoenix Futures denied any sex offenders would attend the facility, stating all those who enter are risk assessed so as not to pose a threat to the wider community.
A spokesman for Bield, which sold the site to Phoenix Futures, added: “The sale process was in no way untoward or irregular. It strictly followed all normal commercial guidelines - which require an element of confidentially.”