MP joins protest against new care home for girls

Date published: 29 September 2008

Haslingden MP Greg Pope has told residents living close to the Hollies, in Rising Bridge Road, that he “shares their concerns” over the proposed facility.

People living near the site have formed the Rising Bridge and Hud Hey Residents’ Association to oppose the home, which will care for teenage girls with “chall-enging behaviour” when it opens next month.

Mr Pope was unable to attend a public meeting held by the group last week but wrote to residents telling them he had spoken to Rossendale Council and Blackpool-based Northern Care about the facility.

Ann Wilson, of Rising Bridge Road, who helped organise the meeting, said: “More than 100 people attended and we also had a letter from Mr Pope telling us that he is 100 per cent behind us.

“The home would be in the wrong location and would have effects on the community.

“We have got a primary school and we have already got care homes in the area.

“It is completely out of order but it is not Northern Care we are fighting here, it is the law which says they are allowed to open these homes.”

Another resident added: “An estate agent said if this home opens up, our homes could be worth nothing.

“I have got a seven-year-old boy who plays outside.

"The care home may not be as bad as it sounds, but I would not want police cars going there.

Northern Care has previously said it wants to be a “good member of the community” and has offered an open day to residents.