Chelmsford News

Rehab clinic closes at last

7:10am Saturday 13th March 2010

A REHABILITATION clinic has closed its doors in Galleywood – three months later than it was supposed to.

The Perry Clayman Project aroused the anger of residents when it opened in the village without the correct planning approval.

The centre was used for drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

More than 200 people attended a parish council meeting in July last year to voice their anger, saying the location was not the right site for the service.

An action group was set up and a petition opposing it was signed by 1,000 people.

The project put in a retrospective application to be allowed to stay, but Chelmsford Council refused it last August and issued an enforcement notice saying it had to close by the end of November.

However, it continued to operate after that date and only closed its doors at the end of February. It is expected to move to another premises in Chelmsford.

A spokesman for Chelmsford Council said the premises was closed on March 1 when the council visited the site.

A spokesman said: “The council has decided not to pursue the enforcement notice prosecution because the project has now complied with it.”

Janette Potter, borough councillor for Galleywood, said: “While I appreciate we need this type of clinic, Mansard House was an inappropriate place in a residential area to hold a clinic of this type. I wish the project success with its venture in Broomfield Road.”

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