Fury At Bid To Build Rehab Centre On Kids’ Play Park
Social work bosses are planning to pave over a play park and build a unit for adults with drug and “alcohol-related brain damage”. The new centre, which would house 20 people, is earmarked for Lambhill and would be built just 40 yards from a school for children with special needs.
There’s also concern about the suitability of siting a drug and alcohol unit so close to a new development of 200 family homes on Balmore Road. After hearing about the proposal, neighbouring residents gathered 1500 signatures on a petition opposing it within seven days.
David Comley, Glasgow City Council’s director of social work services, outlined the plans for the Kingarth House building, a former elderly residential home on 52 Eriboll Street. In a letter obtained by the Evening Times, Mr Comley stated: “The proposal is to demolish (Kingarth House) and develop mainstream housing, some general needs supported accommodation, a GP surgery and a purpose-built nursing home for adults with alcohol-related brain damage. We believe the Eriboll Street site affords real potential to be developed.”
Council workers were on site last week to test the ground for laying concrete foundations ahead of any development. However, many in the community are against the home – which would be sited opposite St Joan of Arc special needs school on Balmore Road.
Councillor Billy McAllister said: “We have real concerns about the proxmity of this unit to the school. It’s just not suitable for this area of Lambhill.”
Mothers Christine Hancock and Janet Hohn, who both live in nearby Eynort Street, started the petition. Mrs Hancock, 42, who has a 12-year-old son, said: “Some of the parents met the council’s land services six weeks ago and had positive talks about cleaning up the park. Now the council has announced plans to build over it for a rehab centre – this is a slap in the face to parents.”
A council spokeswoman said: “It’s early days, however Eriboll Street is one of the options we are looking into.”
