CONCERNS have been raised after a homeless charity unveiled plans for a supported living recovery project.

Cardiff-based organisation The Wallich submitted an application for planning permission to change the use of Ardmore 23 Hesketh Road, in Old Colwyn – a bungalow – to a house in multiple occupation (HMO), which would incorporate office accommodation for visiting support workers.

An accompanying planning document describes the project as “a facility which is part of the recovery process undertaken by residential service users in the North Wales Regional Supported Residential Recovery Project”.

Eirias ward councillor Bob Squire, who has backed efforts to prevent the relocation of criminals from outside of the area to Colwyn Bay for the last 15 years, said: “No matter how well intentioned they are, they can’t be there all the time – that’s when things start going wrong. Our concerns are heightened in this case by the fact that among the objections, this property is on a main route to school, especially Bryn Elian.”

Cllr Dave Cowans, who also represents Eirias Ward, said: “I’m extremely disappointed that the first I am hearing about this is through the planning process.

“I will be speaking to the [Conwy County Council] chief executive about why local members were not consulted on such a sensitive issue.”

Cllr Cowans said he was also concerned by a statement on The Wallich website, which describes how some of the organisation’s projects permit the consumption of drugs or alcohol.

But a Wallich spokesman said: “The Wallich is highly experienced in providing a high standard of service to people without impact on neighbouring properties.

“This project has been designed to meet the needs of people specifically in recovery who are abstinent and in receipt of aftercare.

“The location has been very carefully chosen where it is quiet enough for people who are abstinent to live in peace and quiet.

“All referrals to the project will be in agreement with Conwy County Borough Council following a thorough risk assessment and consideration for the local community.”

The spokesman added: “We have different types of projects and some do allow the consumption of some substances on premises, but this is fully compliant within the law and is very carefully monitored.

“The proposed project will be one of our abstinence projects where we will only be accepting referrals from people who have already made the commitment to stop using substances and have gone through a treatment programme.

“They are not permitted to use alcohol or non-prescribed drugs at all.”