I will move if flats plan goes ahead (From Barry And District News)

I will move if flats plan goes ahead

A WOMAN has vowed she will pack up and leave her Barry home if an application to convert a building into flats for ex-drug users and offenders is given the green light.

Lynette Mitchell is 61 and lives on Holton Road.

She came back from a Christmas break to find a letter informing her that a planning application to convert the property next door to her into temporary accommodation for people with previous substance misuse problems and offending backgrounds had been submitted to the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

The prospect of having this type of shelter frightens Lynette, who says she left her home in Newport two years ago to escape drug problems.

We have got problems around this area with drugs, she said.

I can t believe they are giving people a safe house next door to me. People know how they thieve to feed their habits.

I have said to my landlord that I will not remain here if this goes ahead.

Lynette, who has difficulty in walking due to a spinal injury, added: Barry is not like it used to be, particularly this end of the town.

Lynette s landlord, Carol Teisar, who owns properties throughout South Wales, said: My tenant is very disturbed and I am very disturbed myself.

It has taken a long time to clean up this building from people who were using illegal substances.

Ms Mitchell used to live in Newport and I moved her from there to get away from this kind of thing.

I may sound prejudiced about this but it is with good reason. I cannot put a price on what this type of thing has cost me over the years.

One tenant with a drug habit damaged thousands of pounds worth of goods, and I didn t receive compensation.

Heidi Taylor, of Heidizine hair salon on Jewel Street, said: For a lot of people, drug problems are not their fault.

They need to have a rehabilitation centre somewhere, but where is the question?

I think to put it around here would be dreadful because of all of the children in the area. As a parent myself, I know that every mother and father would be very concerned about it.

Heidi has drawn up a petition against the proposed shelter that concerned people can sign in her shop.

The application will go before the planning committee in the near future and representations from residents will be considered.

A spokesperson from the plan applicants, Newydd Housing Association, was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.