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Needle exchange lined up for area that beat drug problems
PLANNERS favour siting a controversial drug clinic and needle exchange in the heart of King’s Cross.
Town Hall officials have told the charity aiming to run the West End Drug Treatment Centre that 285-87 Gray’s Inn Road – a vacant office block near King’s Cross station – is the “most suitable” site on offer.
Crime Reduction Initiatives (CRI) lodged applications to run the super-clinic – bringing all south Camden’s drug services under one roof – at one of three possible sites, the others being Roger Street in Holborn and Acton Street in Bloomsbury.
After months of speculation about the location of the centre, leaked correspondence between Camden’s planning team and CRI reveals: “Our conclusion is that the preferred site in planning terms, taking account of land-use policy, community safety and local amenity considerations, would be the Gray’s Inn Road option.”
The proposals have been criticised by residents and businesses who fear the centre will become a magnet for crime. During a consultation earlier this year, drug users specifically warned the Town Hall not to put the centre in King’s Cross.
King’s Cross Labour councillor Jonathan Simpson said: “It is extremely disappointing that Camden’s planners are favouring putting the treatment centre in the heart of King’s Cross, an area which has had historic problems with drugs that the community joined together to help combat.”
CRI withdrew its application to open the centre in Roger Street, Holborn, last week after more than 400 objections were lodged.
The drug centre will be discussed at a meeting of the council’s executive on Monday and a decision on the location is expected to be made in the new year.
Residents in King’s Cross are invited to a public meeting in Millman Street Community Centre at 6.30pm on Monday. |
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