Residents’ concerns over rehab centre

The planned facility would accommodate up to 30 patients with drink and drug problems at a site on the New Line.

Meadows of Hope made the application for what was described as a rehabilitation facility for people with life controlling addictions and the location is listed as 500 metres west of 33 New Line. The plans were submitted on January 6.

The applicant was contacted by the ‘MAIL’ but chose not to comment at this stage.

One resident said: “It’s great in principle, but would it not have been better in a hospital environment?”

A Facebook page has been set up in opposition to the proposal and Ulster Unionist MLA Jo-Anne Dobson is encouraging residents to make their feelings known.

The UUP Assembly member said: “I have been contacted at my constituency office by a number of Waringstown residents who have many questions on exactly how such a facility would operate in practice and the potential negative effects which this could have on the village.

“I advised that dialogue will be incredibly important going forward and I know that residents were keen that the issue be further highlighted to ensure that as many people as possible know about the application and how to make their views known to the Planning Service through the consultation process.”

Residents were encouraged to view the application in full at www.planningni.gov.uk using the planning reference N/2012/0016/F.

Any concerns about the application should be made in writing to Darren Lawther, Southern Divisional Manager, Area Planning Office, Marlborough House, Central Way, Craigavon, BT64 1AD.