A training centre bid turfed out Old Mill Hotel rehab plans

A controversial plan to turn a former Motherwell hotel into a residential training centre has been booted out by councillors.

The former Old Mill Hotel in Braidhurst Street was set to be transformed with applicant, Bedel UK, aiming to provide residential accommodation and training to alcoholics, drug addicts and homeless people with the aim of restoring them to healthy independent lifestyles.

However, the proposals drew the wrath of local re s i d e nts w i t h two petitions objecting to the plans attracting over 430 signatures.

A further 154 objections were received with many believing that such a centre should not be in a residential area and that antisocial behaviour will rocket as a result of the plans being approved.

One objector, Chris Gilkison, said: “This is not where a centre like this should be built.

“My street regularly has young kids playing in it who, in the future, could potentially be playing within yards of a drug and rehabilitation centre.

“Anyone who thinks this is something which will benefit the community has their priorities placed firmly on the wrong side of the fence.”

Another objector, John Ross, added: “I just cannot believe the council would think the middle of a housing scheme is an acceptable location for such an enterprise.

“It ’ s not difficult to understand local residents’ concerns.”

In their conclusions, council planners noted: “It is considered that the proposed change of use from hotel to residential training centre is acceptable when considered against the relevant policies of the North Lanarkshire Local Plan in that it would have no significant detrimental impact upon the site or surrounding area and will safeguard a vacant C-Listed local landmark by bringing it back into use.”

However, councillors decided to vote against the planning officials’ recommendations and blocked the new proposals for the formerly popular hotel there.