Takeaway to be turned into addiction recovery hub
GoogleA former takeaway which has been shut for 10 years is due to be turned into an addiction recovery centre.
Northumberland County Council has approved an application from Charter Recovery Housing (CRH) to turn a derelict unit on Coomassie Road, Blyth, into a drop-in centre.
The plans had attracted objections from residents concerned about the suitability of the location, traffic, parking and its proximity to a local school.
CRH's regional manager Naomi Thompson told the planning committee the charity worked with local people to "change their lives for good", through group and one-on-one sessions.
"We currently have four properties across Blyth, four properties that have never had anti-social behaviour raised by the police," she said.
Councillors at the Conservative-led authority were told Northumbria Police had worked with the charity to address concerns, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
This would include installing external CCTV to monitor the area outside the facility.
The charity specialises in helping people make a move to independent living after addiction from alcohol or drugs.
Speaking in opposition to the plans, Reform councillor Natalie Rolls said she was concerned about road safety due to restricted visibility on the road the unit was on.
"This is not an objection to the community drop-in service, facilities like this have an important role to play," she said.
"However, planning decisions must consider whether proposals are suitable for a specific location and in this case this is where the concern lies."
The plans were approved with five votes in favour and one against.