Protesters take action

Mar 6 2008 by Sian Watts, Rhymney Valley Express

ANGRY protestors blockaded a road to stop work beginning on a property earmarked as a drug rehabilitation facility.

The residents of Highbury Drive, Blackwood, jumped into action when workers arrived around 8.30am on the morning of Friday February 29.

Coun Kevin Etheridge said he was “appalled and dismayed” that contractors had tried to move in to carry out work without anybody being informed, particularly as a public inquiry into the property is scheduled for May this year.

Protestor Keith Smallman said: “I think it is an extremely provocative act.

“We were caught unaware, we had no letters- it is only common courtesy to inform people.”

The contractors left after the entrance to the building was cut off by a car belonging to one of the residents.

Last week the Rhymney Valley Express reported how Blackwood councillor, Nigel Dix urged people not to protest, but let contractors on site as they were carrying out health and safety works.

In response to those comments, resident Lydia Morris said: “It has been like this for four years.”

Miss Morris is in the final year of a university degree and says the stress is disrupting her studies.

Her mother, Carol Morris said:

Owners of the building, Fairlake Properties appealed when their initial application for planning permission was turned down.

There has been massive opposition to the plans to turn the house at the top of a residential drive into a centre to treat people with drug and alcohol problems since they were released three years ago.

A public inquiry is due to be held and the building is currently under a scrutiny study by the Planning Inspectorate Wales.

Residents were under the impression that no work on the site would be carried out until the conclusion of the public inquiry.

A spokeswoman for Fairlake said the company were still considering their position as regards to the protest.