I AM writing to raise my concerns to the wider community of Uxbridge regarding a drug rehabilitation centre being run at 65 Belmont Road, Uxbridge.

On July 24, The Primary Care Trust submitted a planning application to Hillingdon Council for a change of use of the former Community Health Council offices at the corner of Belmont and Lancaster Roads, to provide a service as part of a structured day care drug rehabilitation pro

gramme.The centre is already operating before the planning application for the change of use has been considered by Hillingdon Council.

This includes the building of a timber palisade enclosure along the Lancaster Road frontage without permission.

Whilst I feel that these drug rehabilitation programmes are a worthwhile part of the 'care in the community' programme,the location of this unit is totally unacceptable as it is within 10 yards of Hermitage nursery school, 50 yards from Once Upon a Time nursery,and 300 yards from Hermitage Primary School, with residential homes within 10 yards.

My daughter attends Hermitage nursery,and whilst parents would be delivering and waiting to collect our children we will be able to clearly hear the conversations that are taking place in the unit's out-side enclosure.

The language can be loud, aggressive,and totally unsuitable for three to four-year-olds to hear,or in fact for anyone else in the vicinity.

The timing of attendance at the unit coincides with school arriving and leaving times, resulting in convicted drug users being outside the premises at the very time that children are coming out of the nursery school and primary school.

I am very concerned for the safety of our children, residents and the impact this will have on the local community.

Many old people who live in north Uxbridge use Den's News located next door as their local newsagent or convenience shop, as do many young children from Hermitage Primary School who walk home alone and will pass this unit.

I am now fearful of the effect on their safety,as much of the drug related crime with these individuals has been reported to be handbag snatching and theft from shops.

The PCT has confirmed that only 40 per cent of those selected for this programme make it to the end, meaning 60 per cent do not.

Clearly the behaviour and actions of these individuals cannot be controlled once they are outside this unit, this places my children, my family, your family and residents in this area at an increased risk, and it is only a matter of time before an incident occurs.

This unit was previously located in Harrow,above the Heart foundation shop.

We have been advised by the Hillingdon PCT that this new unit will serve the whole of Harrow and Hillingdon.

When the PCT was challenged on its site selection process, no other site was mentioned, and Kevin Mullins from the PCT stated: "I am embarrassed that we appear not to have followed due process in the selection of this location, and the naivety of our office in the way it has been presented to the public."

Hillingdon Council consultation on the planning application has been limited to six immediate properties.

The whole process started after the schools had been closed. As a result, the PCT has asked the council to extend the planning consultation period to allow for the school governors, headteacher,local residents and businesses an opportunity to comment on the proposal.

The local residents and business have raised significant objections to the planning application and are also running a petition from Den's News.

I feel that the PCT has acted irresponsibly and put the safety and welfare of our children at the bottom of its list of priorities when considering the location of this unit.

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