More than 700 people have signed a petition opposing plans to convert a Weymouth bed and breakfast into a drug and alcohol recovery hub.


It was handed over to Dorset County Council during a full council meeting at County Hall yesterday. 


The council has secured funding of £620,000 from Public Health England to redevelop 22 Abbotsbury Road as the Weymouth Recovery Hub.
Residents Sally Maslin, former borough councillor for Westham East, and Andreas Scheffler addressed the meeting, raising concerns over the proposed location of the hub.


In a joint statement they said: "Local residents and business have worked together in recent times to clean up and improve the area and have made a noticeable difference but it still needs attention. Bringing in more long-term substance users to an area already trying to deal with an ongoing problem could have a negative impact on the progress that’s been made."


The hub's proximity to the Rodwell Trail was also criticised. 


"It is 200 yards from Rodwell Trail," said Mr Scheffler. "A well-known drug spot and other known drug dealing spots such as the corner of Newstead Road and Knightsdale Road.


"Local Westham residents aren’t generally opposed to a rehab facility and recognise there’s a need; the objection is to the inappropriate siting of this in Abbotsbury Road, a busy, built-up area containing a number of guest houses, local business as well as many residents."


Issues surrounding the consultation process were also raised. 


"Local people and their representatives were not included in decision-making in March 2014 when a grant was awarded by Public Health England to help recovering alcohol and drug addicts in Dorset," they said.


If planning permission is given the go-ahead, the hub will be run by charity Essential Drug and Alcohol Services (EDAS).


The charity has previously said that the hub will aim to get people back in to a normal life by providing therapy rooms, education, training and employment opportunities.


Up to six people will be able to stay overnight in the facility for short periods of around a week while they undergo detox or access support.
EDAS has assured the public the centre will be managed by an on-site staff team of experienced professionals 24 hours a day, seven days a week.


Mr Scheffler, who has more than 10 years' experience working with people with substance abuse problems, said: "I know firsthand how long it can take for someone to get to the stage where they commit to go to a rehab, and my concern is that the inappropriateness of this facility is setting them up to fail.


"The rehab centres I have referred clients to and seen during my time were all detached properties - I have never seen such a facility as an end-of-terrace property right next to a guest house for holidaymakers. This is not fair on either the client group or on the holidaymakers, many of whom have young families." 

Cllr Steve Butler, Dorset County Council cabinet member for safeguarding, said: “We want to set up a recovery hub in Weymouth to help address Weymouth’s longstanding issues with alcohol and other drugs.

"We’re able to invest over £0.5million in Weymouth, for the benefit of Weymouth residents, at a time when other funding is being cut. The rates of drug use in Weymouth are double that in the county as a whole, and more than 40 per cent of those who currently access treatment in Dorset live in Weymouth and Portland. The hub would be a local service for local people – while some Dorset residents from outside Weymouth will use the service sometimes, the majority of people will be from the immediate area.


“The target group for this service are people who have shown that they are committed to staying off street drugs. The focus would be on helping them to return to education, voluntary work or paid employment. In an urban area, the reality is that many of us live where both alcohol and other drugs are easily accessible, and people need to learn to stay well in their local community. There is strong evidence that treating people where they live works. 


“After extensive research of available properties, 22 Abbotsbury Road was chosen as it offers the best balance between a central location accessible by public transport, the right amount of space inside and outside the building, and affordability.


“The planning application to change the use of 22 Abbotsbury Road is being finalised, and will be submitted shortly. As part of the planning process local people will have a chance to have their say on the proposal.”