Residents express crime wave fears

RESIDENTS' fears that a supported housing development in Failsworth could open the door to ex-convicts and drug and alcohol addicts caused planners to call a halt to the development.

A decision on the plans was deferred for a month to allow worried residents to allay their fears on the type of people who would be moving in.

And Councillor John Battye urged residents to send a delegation to similar developments run by the same company in Lees, Chadderton and Hathershaw, to talk to residents and staff in a bid to put their minds at rest.

David Jones, representing 100 residents around the proposed development of 26 flats on the former Brookdale pub site in Coronation Road, spoke of their fears of a surge in crime and anti-social behaviour. The plans also prompted 32 letters of objection and two petitions backed by more than 70 signatures from people worrying that the flats will be used by people with drug, alcohol or substance addictions.

Planning officers said it would have a round-the-clock warden and most residents would be referred by social services or the health service and would be disabled, elderly in need of residential care, have a brain injury following an accident, or have a physical or mild learning disability.