THE site of a controversial drug and alcohol recovery hub in Weymouth is not a ‘done deal’, councillors have said.

At a meeting to discuss a petition opposing the conversion of a guesthouse at 22 Abbotsbury Road to a recovery centre, councillors said the search for other properties to accommodate the facility was ongoing.

The petition panel was called after Dorset County Council was presented with a petition of more than 700 signatures, opposing the move. The petition will be considered by county councillors when the application is decided at a later date.

Four campaigners, including lead petitioner, business owner John Richards, attended the meeting.

They said in a statement afterwards: “We felt members of the petition panel were sympathetic to our reasoning behind the petition and were understanding of the fact that we were not just a group of NIMBYs. They were very responsive to our views.”

DCC has lodged a ‘change of use’ application for 22 Abbotsbury Road and the public have until October 13 to make comments. It will then be considered by DCC’s Regulatory Committee.

Members of the petition panel said the search for other properties to accommodate the recovery hub is still ongoing.

They added planning approval for change of use was not guaranteed, and that it was certainly not a ‘done deal’.

A DCC spokesman said: “Given that the use of 22 Abbotsbury Road remains subject to planning permission and that the property remains on the market, we have continued to monitor the private market to ensure we’re aware of other potentially viable properties, including those currently used by the NHS or local authorities.

"However, at this time 22 Abbotsbury Road remains our preferred option.”

At the panel, councillors decided what action would be taken in response to the petition.

Cllr Steve Butler, Cabinet member for safeguarding, said: “It was agreed that the petition will be sent onto the planning authority, together with the notes from the petition panel meeting, which will be also be shared with the attendees of the petition panel.

“The panel also agreed to recommend that the regulatory committee conducts a site visit to help their understanding of the application.”

Petitioners said the panel also agreed to provide them with evidence of previous properties considered for these proposals.

Since it was submitted, the application has received 66 objections and two declarations of support.

The planning application will be brought before the Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's planning committee this Wednesday. Councillors will be invited to comment and put their view to the county council.