Opponents Fail To Halt Council Plan For Witcutt Way House

NORTH Lanarkshire Council are to go ahead with plans to house two people in a villa worth more than £¼m as part of a supported living programme.

The announcement comes – despite the authority having received a 390-signature petition from residents opposing the move.

The authority’s housing and social work services committee met last week to consider the petition, which was sent to them by the Netherton Families Action Group (NFAG).

The group had expressed anxiety about the future use of a four-bedroom detached property in Witcutt Way.

They also say a number of questions remain unanswered about the way the property was acquired.

Karen Charnley, a spokesman for NFAG, said: “We are extremely disappointed that our petition appears to have made little difference in this matter.”

Members of the group say they are still awaiting a detailed response from the council on the outcome of the meeting.

Many of the group’s members were unable to attend the public meeting last week because of work commitments.

Mary Castles, executive director of housing and social work services said: “Correspondence was sent to the petitioner advising them that they would be informed of the outcome of this item following the committee meeting.

“This is being progressed.

“In line with all councils, standing orders are in place and adhered to for every committee meeting held.

“At a committee meeting, a course of action is agreed and this is followed up by the relevant officers.

“The petitioner will receive notification of the outcome in due course.”

The authority told the Advertiser that the group’s petition in relation to the purchase of a house in Netherton by Sanctuary Housing Association was considered at the meeting.

Councillor Barry McCulloch, committee convener said: “On receipt of the petition and following the concerns of local residents, the council and their partners entered into dialogue with residents in relation to this matter.

“A meeting was held earlier this month with representatives of the Netherton residents, who had expressed concerns.

“This meeting was constructive with detailed responses given to a wide range of questions raised by the residents.

“The council’s supported living programme has an extremely positive track record – over 550 people are supported through this programme to live independently in their local community.

“People accommodated through the programme have additional support needs arising from learning disabilities, mental ill-health or physical disability and they have the same rights as everyone else to independent living.”

Added Councillor McCulloch “I’m hopeful that today’s meeting marks a conclusion in this case.”