Appeal battle for drug advice centre in New Forest

Twice the Society of St James has had applications turned down by New Forest District Planning Committee.

The first site selected for a support and advice centre – which included a needle exchange service – was in Old Milton Road.

That was refused on the grounds of fear of crime to elderly residents.

The second application, for Whitefield Road, was refused on the grounds it would have been a primary shopping area where non-retail use already exceeds the 30 per cent maximum laid down in policy.

Mike Taylor of the Southampton-based Society of St James said in New Forest district only Totton has larger numbers of drugs users.

The society already has satellite drugs workers in Fordingbridge and Ringwood.

“Our base at New Milton will only be for the residents of New Milton and staff, and our staff will travel out to other areas of the forest,” said Mr Taylor.

New Milton Town Council planning committee objected on the grounds that it was contrary to policy. However, some members felt there was a need for the facility – but in the right place.

In his grounds of appeal, Mr Taylor says the plan has the support of police, community safety officers and councillors who had looked at the society’s Eastleigh centre.

“The reasons that were given for the rejection of the planning were clearly focusing on the perceived anti social effects of the project,” he says.

“The arguments against the project were not evidence-based and should therefore not carry any weight.”

A government inspector will decide the issue after studying written representations.

District council crime and disorder portfolio holder Councillor Goff Beck is 100 per cent behind the centre.

“The service is the same as a medical or dental surgery.

“There are not going to be people roaming the streets in drink or on drugs,” he said.

“We are going to see people who have a problem and want to address that problem in a positive manner.”