By Malcolm Balfour
Bailie for Drumchapel/Anniesland

Local residents in Anniesland are up in arms at plans for a drug and alcohol rehab unit in the former care home at Munro Court.

The former owners Beild have sold the property to Pheonix Future Trust who intend to turn the former dementia care home into what they are calling a care home for recovering addicts.

This is causing not only local home owners in the surrounding area but also residents of the retirement house adjacent to the proposed site concerns.

There are also local schools and nurseries, all of whom are understandably angry, not only at the sighting of this unit but also that there has been no notification or consultation with anyone over this matter.

People are quite rightly concerned over safety and security if this unit goes ahead.

I have written to Pheonix Future Trust, Glasgow City Council planning department and Beild seeking assurances on a variety of matters and will keep everyone informed as and when answers are received.

There will also be a public meeting shortly which Pheonix have said they will attend and speak to locals.

However, I am personally disappointed that former owners Beild did not inform the residents of the retirement houses which they support of their plans.

Whilst there may be no legal obligation to do so surely as a matter of common courtesy they should have done so their failure to do surely leaves them open to being accused of being morally bankrupt.

I have a meeting on the eleventh of this month with Pheonix and other elected members to seek answers as to why they intend to locate in this area.

I can give residents a promise that I and local members from all parties will fight this plan on their behalf and will do all that we can in an attempt to prevent this from happening.