Bolton: Public meeting turns out to oppose Ladybridge plan

The plans were announced earlier this month and if approved will see a house on Glendale Drive, Ladybridge converted into a short-term hub providing 24-hour support for ‘vulnerable parents’ and their children.

But since then, scores of people have expressed their alarm at the idea.

Resident John Fiddies said: “Generally Ladybridge is a relatively good environment to live inand the demographics are probably leaning towards older people in term who’s living there.”

Glendale Drive, Ladybridge (Image: Google Maps)

He added: “The street just hasn’t got enough parking for it, we’ve not got the right amenities, it’s just not the right environment.

“There’s going to be an additional burden on local schools and I know from my time as a school govoner that schools are at capacity and I believe that’s still the case.

“The people who come in here are likely to not have transport and really you need a car on Ladybridge to be able to get to the shops.

“So we’re going to end up with people who are brought in from out of town and aren’t familiar with the area.”

The residents gathered at a standing room only event last Friday at the Beaumont Arms pub in the Ladybridge estate to make their feelings known.

Mr Fiddles said: “We were expecting maybe two dozen people to turn up but we got in and the pub was absolutely rammed, such is the outcry.”

The meeting was also attended by Cllr Andy Morgan, Cllr Anne Galloway and Chris Green MP.

Parents and their children will be given 24 hour support at the new centre (Image: YA Architectural Services)

Cllr Galloway said: “Due to the number of residents on Ladybridge estate who have contacted Cllr Andy Morgan and myself regarding the proposed family assessment centre, we felt it was important to call a meeting with residents to explain the planning process and the best, most effective ways to object to the application.”

As Cllr Galloway explained, their efforts have already born fruit in creating more opportunity to debate the proposals. 

She said: “We have got an extension to the deadline of submitting objections to January 23. 

“We will be making our own representations to planning officers and have asked that if the application is recommended for approval, then it should be heard by the planning committee which makes the final decision and where residents' concerns can be publicly aired and debated.  

“The number of people, over 100, who came to the meeting showed the strength of feeling that this application has raised.”

Cllr Morgan urged people to continue to make their views known.

He said: "It was a really good discussion that we had last Friday and its really important that residents continue to engage with the planning process.

"This kind of provision is something that we don't have in Bolton because we don't believe in it so we've now extended the consultation period by two weeks and we hope to have it fully debated at committtee."

But planners have previously tried to allay econcerns about potential knock-on effects the assessment centre could have.

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A statement from YA Architectural Services said: “There will be a zero-tolerance drug and alcohol policy in place meaning any parents that are actively drinking or taking drugs would not be accepted to the centre therefore the likelihood of disturbances within the local community are significantly reduced.

“Additionally there are terms and conditions relating to a parents conduct in place which are agreed and signed prior to admission.”

The consultation period has now been extended to January 23.