Needle exchange by college campus gets rejected

Controversial plans to open a needle exchange directly opposite a college campus in Cannock have been thrown out after councillors branded them 'ludicrous and inappropriate'.

The bid to turn the former progressive working men's club into a drug and alcohol service was refused by planning bosses after fierce objections by South Staffordshire College.

Cannock Council's planning committee did however approve a separate application to open a rehab house at the back of the college. Numbers 91-93 High Green will now be turned into a 12-bed supported house for recovering addicts and the former Bistro 95 will open as a tea room run by them.

But the first application to turn the former working men's club by Cannock Shopping Centre into a drug and alcohol service was unanimously rejected. The application was submitted by Addiction Dependency Solutions to provide a medical prescribing centre and needle exchange.

[comments_cta text="Were planners right to reject the plan?"]

Councillor Margaret Freeman voted against the plans and said: "It is the most ludicrous and wholly inappropriate place for a needle exchange service."

Trudie McGuiness, director of learning at South Staffordshire College, said:

"It would be very distressing for our young learners and it would undoubtedly put people off coming into the college. We genuinely fear it would impact on our recruitment and the overall future and survival of the college."

The second application by Burton Addiction Centre to open a bedsit for recovering drug addicts was given the go-ahead despite more than 40 letters of objection.

Cannock businessman Mark Francis objected to the plans and said: "It will increase crime and will blight the area.."

However Noreen Oliver, CEO of Burton Addiction Centre, said the residents will have completed an intensive 14-week programme and will adhere to strict rules.