Clear Springs have cleared off, but will they be back? (From Crewe Guardian)

Clear Springs have cleared off, but will they be back?

9:46am Tuesday 22nd April 2008 in

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MEDIA coverage of the Clear Springs' bail accommodation controversy has consistently ignored the underlying planning issue.

When the Clear Springs operations in Crewe began at the end of last summer, the Borough's Planning Officer stated that permission was needed to change the use of the two properties concerned. He still holds to this opinion and is supported by the Council's legal advisors. Clear Springs disagrees and have not made any planning application. The company is supported in this by Jack Straw.

Does this matter now that the two houses have been closed down? We think it does. The houses have been closed down, the Company has not. Even if Clear Springs goes out of business, a successor company will be given a contract by the Ministry of Justice. Suppose they set up bail accommodation elsewhere in the Borough. Neighbours would be consulted (the company won't make the same mistake twice!). Is the company obliged to take notice of objections if other agencies are supportive? No.

Contrast this with the process of obtaining planning permission. All objections have to be publicised and duly considered by planning officers and councillors. If permission is granted, conditions may be imposed, and these conditions are enforced by Borough staff.

The local press could provide valuable service by finding out more about Clear Springs and its operations. It is a national organisation, and it is hard for local councillors to find out what is happening elsewhere. Does the company follow its own rules? Does their accommodation work in a satisfactory way? We don't want the whole sorry saga to begin again in the Borough, and still not know the answers.

From the Borough Councillors representing St John's Ward, DAVID CANNON, BETTY HOWELL, STEFAN KRIZANAC.