Meeting on drug centre location

Residents in Shrewsbury are holding a meeting tonight after fears were raised that a drugs drop-in centre could be set up on their door step.

Rumours have been circulating in the Cherry Orchard area of town that the centre will move to part of the nearby Whitehall offices from St Michael’s Street.

But Shropshire County Council bosses today said no decisions had been made and discussions about the lease of the building were still under way.

Residents are meeting at 6pm in the Clifford Street area to discuss the issue. Resident Lucy Parcell said she was worried that a needle exchange centre would be damaging for the area.

“We are a conservation area and if that goes ahead people will want to fortify their houses with double glazing and railings and fences because our houses will be prime targets for crime but as it’s a conservation area, you can’t do anything without planning permission.”

She also said residents were worried that a nearby alley way would become a no-go route if the centre goes ahead.

Mike Morris, assistant director of community services, said: “There have been a couple of meetings with residents. The council is not part of the meeting this evening.

“I met with Councillor Jo Jones last week who was at the previous residents’ meeting and gave her some more details about the substance misuse centre and what service it offers,” he added.

“The council will be holding an information meeting here at Shirehall in the next few weeks.

“We have not yet signed any lease so we do not have final arrangements to move in. Negotiations are under way.”

Councillor Jones, who looks after the nearby Column ward, said: “I’m very concerned about it. We want to know what they are going to do.”

But Councillor Miles Kenny, who looks after Cherry Orchard, said it was not a good idea to have such a meeting before any council decisions had been made.

He said: “It is nothing to get alarmed about.”