PLAN TO LEASE FLATS TO DRUGS CHARITY SPLITS COUNCILLORS

RESIDENTS of a block of flats were driven from their homes to make way for
recovering addicts, a councillor has claimed.

The nine Broad Green flats in Wellingborough town centre are owned by
Wellingborough Council but have gradually become empty over recent months.

The council plans to lease them to Leicester Housing Association which will
spend UKP90,000 on renovations then let the flats to Council on Addiction in
Northamptonshire (Can), which aims to help former drug and alcohol addicts
to get their lives back on track.

The decision, still to be ratified at a full meeting of the council next
month, was made by a social, cultural and housing committee last night.

Cllr Michael Ellis, whose Swanspool ward includes the flats, said: "I have
dealt with someone who used to live there who had a superb flat with lots of
room. Now they have moved because they have been driven out of there and
this has been a policy, I think, to get this accommodation empty over quite
a long time.

"I don't doubt Can is doing a great job but this is in the wrong place and
is too big, and we don't know enough about the management arrangement."

Council housing officer Simon Favell said: "I have heard a rumour officers
have had a plot to run the flats down. That is as far from the truth as
possible; the council has invested numerous amounts of money into them."

Cllr Alan Warwick said the flats' location was a problem. He said: "It is
close to premises serving alcohol and in close proximity to the town
centre."

The plan is supported by some councillors, one of these, Cllr Martin Cahill,
said: "I admire the work Can does. We have to find somewhere for this. We
shall be neglecting our obligations to the public if we don't."