Rehab protestors have six-week wait for verdict

9:53am Thursday 15th May 2008

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PROTESTORS against plans to set up a drink and drug rehabilitation centre in Blackwood have to wait six weeks for the outcome of a public inquiry.

Fairlake Properties wants to turn Highbury House, Blackwood into a rehabilitation centre, which has sparked outrage by local residents.

During the second day of the public inquiry by the Planning Inspectorate of Wales, campaigners aired their views against the project.

Neighbours to Highbury House David Cavell of Highbury Drive and Robert Blunt of Garfield Street highlighted concerns over the centre's close proximity to schools and asked for reassurances that residents of the centre, which would house eight recovering clients, would be clean before being accepted.

Fairlake assured the inquiry it would adopt a zero tolerance policy.

Caerphilly Council also made representations against the centre over concerns such a property would cause an increase of traffic on the residential street.

Fairlake argued its clients would more than likely not have cars and therefore there would be no more traffic than if the property was a house.

Hywel Wyn Jones, who chaired the inquiry, will have his final say on the build in six weeks.