Campaigners against a drug and alcohol rehab centre planned for the heart of a rural Angus community have united to co-ordinate opinion locally and in the wider area.
Save Angus Glens Environment has been established in response to a planning application, submitted by Glasgow’s Renaissance People CIC, to convert the former Lochside Lodge bar and restaurant at Lintrathen into a treatment centre for recovering addicts.
The group says the planned site is unsuitable and has already offered that view to Renaissance People representatives, who attended a stormy public meeting in the area last month.
They also fear acceptance of the plan could create a precedent and pave the way for similar schemes across Angus.
It aims to harness support from throughout the county through an online petition at rehab.objection@btinternet.com.
The group wants to back up more than 100 written objections already submitted in respect of the Lintrathen application, which looks likely to be considered by councillors in the coming weeks.
Spokeswoman Sarah McCabe, who lives near Lochside Lodge, said that local feeling had achieved “critical mass” and that the group aimed to co-ordinate wider support against the proposal.
“Over 100 objections have already been lodged, a clear demonstration of local support for a village of only 23 residents,” she said.
“We have already gathered over 500 signatures and aim to achieve many times that number by campaigning further afield.
“Aside from the clear planning arguments, we want to show the strength of feeling towards protecting a tranquil area of Angus that attracts thousands of tourists, walkers, birdwatchers and anglers.
“From the outset we have said that we recognise the need for drug and alcohol treatment. But this plan will do nothing to address such issues in Angus, as the applicant intends to serve clients from throughout the UK.
“It is still unclear whether clients will be offenders or, as the company claims, those willing to pay large sums for treatment.”
She added, “The building is inadequate, especially in terms of the lack of privacy and outside space for the service users.
“The location presents real problems with virtually no public transport and limited medical cover.
“This proposal is ill-thought out and conflicts with established council planning guidance, but we also have real concerns about the consistency, credentials, and evident lack of experience of the owners.
“This is not just an issue for Lintrathen or Glen Isla, but the whole of Angus.”