Agenda item

Change of use of No. 81 from existing B1 office and Nos. 82-88 from C3 dwellinghouses to D1 non-residential institution to provide drug and alcohol treatment centre together with associated erection of entrance canopy and fire escape canopy on front elevation and landscaping works.

The Committee considered a report of the Principal Planning Officer regarding the change of use of No. 81 from existing B1 office and Nos. 82-88 from C3 dwellinghouses to D1 non-residential institution to provide drug and alcohol treatment centre together with associated erection of an entrance canopy and fire escape canopy on the front elevation and landscaping works at 81-88 Whinney Hill, Durham (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Principal Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation on the application which included photographs of the site.  Members had visited the site the previous day and were familiar with the location and setting.

Mr Alan Hayton addressed the Committee on behalf of Whinney Hill Community Group and gave a presentation to the Committee.  The Group was opposed to the application which it felt was not appropriate for the residential area.  Approval of the application would lead to parking problems in an area of Durham City where parking was already at a premium.  Clients using the centre would soon realise difficulties associated with using public transport to get to it and would resort to private transport, which would exacerbate the parking problem.  Approval of the application would lead to an increased fear of crime in the area.

The Principal Planning Officer responded that the issues raised were covered in the report to Committee which had previously been circulated.  The proposed centre was within walking distance of major transport hubs, and parking in the area was controlled.

Mr Mark Harrison, Durham Drug and Alcohol Commissioning Team, addressed the Committee in support of the application.  External changes to the properties would be minimal.  Noise and disturbance would be limited as attendees would attend the centre on a voluntary basis and by appointment only, the centre was not open access.  Most attendees to the centre would travel on public transport and by foot, and some additional car parking had been agreed with the Governor of Durham Prison.  There were 8 such facilities across County Durham, all in similar residential areas, none of which had caused problems in the areas.

Mr Tim Allen, Governor of Durham Prison spoke in favour of the application.  The centre would be a valuable resource in assisting the seamless transfer from custody into the community, and attendees to the centre were motivated to attend and break the cycle of addiction to drugs and alcohol.  The centre would be operated by qualified, accredited professionals.

Councillor J Brown informed the Committee that a similar drug and alcohol treatment centre had operated in a residential area in her Ward, which had no loitering, anti social behaviour or littering problems.  When the centre moved accommodation, residents requested that it remain.

Councillor Bailey understood the views of the residents and asked how many of the other centres across County Durham were in residential areas.  He also asked whether such a facility would not operate better from Community Centres.  Mr Harrison responded that all other centres were in close proximity to residential areas, and that clinical sessions were already provided in a number of community settings.

Councillor Freeman informed the Committee of his concern that a drug and alcohol treatment centre was being moved from a non-residential area in Durham City to a residential area.  The Police Architectural Liaison Officer had expressed the view that such a treatment centre would not normally be located in a residential area.  The centre would lead to an increased fear of crime in the Whinney Hill area and he moved that the application be rejected.  This was seconded by Councillor Bailey.

Councillor Moran moved that the application be approved, this was seconded by Councillor Bleasdale.

Resolved:

That the application be approved, subject to the conditions detailed in the recommendations in the report.