In recent weeks the Sutton Guardian has received a deluge of letters all of which have been prompted by controversial proposals for a youth housing scheme. The centre of the debate hinges on the fears of nearby residents, who suspect the scheme may seriously affect their quality of life. These views have been counteracted by the council and the charity which would run the scheme, both of whom say their fears are unfounded. This week, Comet reporter DEAN PIPER looks in depth at the project and its supporters and objectors.

A ward councillor has spoken out at how "let down" she and her fellow councillors feel over the handling of proposals for the Stanley Park Road youth housing project.

And she has also called for an inquiry into why residents were not initially consulted over the controversial scheme.

In an exclusive interview with the Comet, Maggie Woodley said she felt the application for the supported housing project was being steam-rollered through without giving residents proper information.

"All three of us ward councillors feel let down by <a href="http://http://www.sutton.gov.uk">Sutton Council</a> over the matter. If the council had consulted residents before making a decision, we would not have this problem now," she said.

"The only way out of this would be to have an inquiry I feel we owe it to the residents."

All three councillors did not attend a volatile public meeting on December 10 after being advised by the council's legal team that it might leave them open to accusations of bias from applicants Look Ahead Housing.

Coun Woodley said: "We were told if we attended the meeting we would be compromised and it would invalidate our right of vote. We were basically not allowed to attend."

The council has issued a statement which, amazingly, sites the Human Rights Act as a reason for why councillors were advised not to attend the meeting. Unfortunately Sutton's legal department was unavailable to explain how the Human Rights Act fitted into the debate.

Despite residents' fierce opposition to the scheme which would house seven young people who have had disruptive lives and need supervision initial plans have been approved by the Beddington and Wallington planning area manager.

Maggie Woodley also claims council officials knew about the project in July, not September as many people thought.

Maggie said: "By the time we heard about it, it had been blessed and approved.

"In principle, I have never been against it, but it's the way the council has gone about it that has annoyed me."

Roy Bentley, who is also a ward councillor for Carshalton and Clockhouse, said: "I would rather not make any comment at the moment and I think anything that I do say I may regret.

"I do not want to prejudice the planning application. I did not know that the meeting in September would blow into such a major story."

The Comet was unable to contact the third councillor Gary Miles.

An initial internal meeting in September was supposed to include the three ward councillors. But all three had previously booked holiday and Maggie Woodley claims no alternative date was offered.

Deputy council leader Lesley O'Connell said: "Ward councillors were invited to a meeting in September by officers in community services to be briefed on the project before a planning application was submitted.

"I am sorry if they feel they have been inadequately briefed about the supported housing project.

"Every effort was made by officers to inform them about the subject."

A decision is due at the December 19 area committee meeting at the Civic Offices.

Look Ahead Housing was unavailable to comment on the scheme.

December 13, 2001 16:30