Objectors fail to stop plan for domestic abuse refuge for women and children
A REFUGE for women and children fleeing domestic violence is to be built at a disused council housing depot, despite fears by neighbours.
Planning chiefs approved the creation of the purpose-built refuge at a location in the city – which The Herald is not revealing – following an application by Spectrum Housing Group.
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The three-storey building – estimated at costing around £1.7million – will consist of 11 residential rooms, as well as communal rooms, staff facilities, secure parking and a courtyard where children can play.
The ground floor will have a entrance hall, lift, office, kitchenette, plant room and toilet, while the first floor will house communal accommodation, a large shared kitchen and dining room, children's room, communal lounge, teen room and laundry room. The other floors offer a number of rooms holding up to three beds each.
Advice on what was needed in the building was offered by members of SEEDS (Survivors Empowering and Educating Domestic Abuse Services) and the application was granted conditionally by members of Plymouth City Council's planning committee at a meeting on Thursday.
The new refuge will be in a "relatively quiet residential cul-de-sac" which has prompted around 20 residents in the area – as well as ward councillors Richard Ball and David Stark – to put their opposition to the development in writing.
Cllr Ball claimed the street could not accommodate a "marked increase" in traffic, adding there was "deep concern amongst residents" that the area was being "overloaded with managed multiple occupancy establishments". He felt that the children's play area was "insufficient", which would result in play being "displaced into the communal grounds of adjacent flats, disturb[ing] the peace and quiet of the area."
He added: "This is a quiet residential area. Placing a refuge in its midst is beyond belief.
One resident wrote: "we do not want potentially violent people with social problems outside the side" while another claimed: "the price of my house will depreciate". Another believed "there will be call-outs to the police if angry people come to the premises".
One claimed: "The refuge fills us with dread when we think about the noise we can expect from arguing parents, shouting children and skateboards."
However, many of these fears were dismissed by planning officers, who said concerns of public order offences were not borne out by evidence.
Police logs revealed the current refuge had seen 23 call-outs in the past 14 years of operation, while there had been 12 call-outs to the now-derelict housing depot in that same period.
The application is expected to be signed off by January 30, and the 14-month build will begin in March 2011.
46 Comments
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by disgusted, plymouth
Wednesday, December 22 2010, 8:15AM
“Anon cornwall,
2 years ago I was where you are ,
http://www.womensaid.org.uk/ , you can click on something which covers your history so you can't be caught out.
I hope you have a safe christmas and that 2011 brings better things for you x”
by Julie, Plymouth
Wednesday, December 22 2010, 7:01AM
“Anon Cornwall, remember it only takes one step outside the front door.I hope that you will find the courage to take that step sooner rather than later. In the meantime I wish you and your children a better 2011 xx”
by Anon, Devon
Wednesday, December 22 2010, 6:09AM
“Mick, Barbican
It seems to me that you pull the BNP card whenever it suits you, which just re-enforces what a lying, manipulitive waste of space you are! Perhaps one day you will actually grow up but I won't hold my breath!!
Good luck with the refuge, in this day & age it will be needed more than ever!”
by david, plymouth
Wednesday, December 22 2010, 12:54AM
“We all might need help sometime .... wether from your doctor or hospital or wherever .
As a kid i got christmas parties from people who we never even knew , apperently my sister and I were deemed poor .The people doing it ? we had no idea ... they were doing it for whatever reason... as an adult we should help the kids ..... they do not know any different .”
by johnno, pennycomequick
Tuesday, December 21 2010, 10:54PM
“ANON ,CORNWALL I wish yourself and your children a very happy christmas ,
I hope the new year is kinder to you”
by anon, cornwall
Tuesday, December 21 2010, 10:41PM
“I took up with someone who treated me like a princess, I have 2 children with this person and now 19 years on due to circumstances beyond our control I am now treated like a slave, I walk on eggshells and never know what is around the corner for me. It is a small comfort that if ever I am brave enough to make the break there would be somewhere for me and my children to go. If only I'd had a crystal ball 19 years ago to see that the 'princess' or 'queen' stage wasn't going to last.”
by Stuart, Plymouth
Tuesday, December 21 2010, 7:32PM
“Good for a specific centre to be developed for the victims of abuse, i hope that the new centre will have the scope to ensure that young males in the family are not discriminated against and made to live away from their family unit at a very distressing time.
I for one would wish that the perps of domestic violence regardless of sex or ethnicity were the one s forced to leave an area, andmoved to a location that would ensure the safety and welfare of the complainent.
Lets hope the old bill and CPS up their game to ensure the legal skill base is improved to match the additional needs a project will place on a community and that schools in the catchment are and GP's and dentist etc are happy to admit "jane or john smith" and that funding from authority of origin is established as well as resettlement funds coming from the victims home council when case comes to closure.”
by Gothmother, Still De-icing the broom
Tuesday, December 21 2010, 5:32PM
“Mick: It is NOT always the husbands that beat wives.
There is a high percentage of same sex relashionships that are abusive and women who beat thier men.
Children get caught in the middle and sadly end up in a cycle.
Id welcome a refuge in my front or back garden so good luck to all those involved in getting it up and off the ground.”
by Liam, Nottz
Tuesday, December 21 2010, 5:28PM
“What's the BNP policy / your personal view on intermarriage between races? Is it more Deuteronomy 7:3 or more Colossians 3:11?”
by Liam, nottz
Tuesday, December 21 2010, 5:23PM
“Thanks for clarifying that Mick, I am learning all the time.”