West End rehab centre hits setback

Plans for a new rehab centre for up to 21 adults in the West End of Morecambe have hit a stumbling block after city councillors refused planning permission for a change of use.
The former Tregothnan Residential Care Home in Balmoral Road.The former Tregothnan Residential Care Home in Balmoral Road.
The former Tregothnan Residential Care Home in Balmoral Road.

Oasis Recovery Communities, who took over the former Tregothnan residential care home in Balmoral Road last year, have said they will appeal against Monday’s decision. They had hoped to open a unit catering for ‘trauma, depression and chemical dependency’.

But it was revealed in November that the new owners did not have the correct planning permission.

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Members of the city council’s planning committee agreed with council officers, who had asked for the scheme to be turned down because of an unclear evidence of local need for the facility, because it undermines the regneration aims of the area and because it is considered to add to the burdens of pressure on existing local support services, particularly support strategies to improve health and social wellbeing.

Oasis Recovery Communities Limited (Morecambe) say they only accept service users who are aged 18 years or over, and free from alcohol and illegal drugs.

The centre would be staffed 24 hours a day.

Residents would stay for a six-month period and attend structured therapy sessions each day.

Oasis managing director Matthew Wheeldon said: “We are surprised by this decision as many local people who once opposed us now support us helping the local community in Morecambe. We will appeal.”