HOT OFF THE PRESS.....

23 January 2012

Plans for clinic are put on hold

Early stage proposals to develop a drug rehabilitation and wellbeing centre at the Aylesbury House site near Hockley Heath are officially on hold as investors pursue other development opportunities.

In August last year, the site’s owners – Right Start Foundation International – announced their proposed vision for the site and held a number of public meetings to start conversations with local residents. At these meetings, the organisation explained that while plans were not yet fully developed and therefore could not be shared in any detail, the intention was to apply for planning permission to change the use of the site and develop it as a premium centre providing world class drug rehabilitation therapies for wealthy individuals.

Since consulting with local stakeholders about these early stage plans, Right Start has received many positive and constructive comments about the site’s potential as a development opportunity. In view of these comments and having experienced some difficulty securing the necessary support for the drug rehabilitation concept in the current economic climate, Right Start has decided to put its early stage plans on hold.

Waseem Yaqub OBE, project leader for the development, said:

“We have been pleased with some of the contributions that we have received from local people and we have been listening. The feedback and time provided by Caroline Spelman MP, in particular, has helped us to arrive at our current decision.

“We have decided to put our vision to create a drug rehabilitation centre on hold so that we can actively pursue other avenues. Our ultimate aim is to realise commercial value for investors and there are many different ways to achieve this. At the moment we are reluctant to narrow our options too far.”

Right Start has decided to proceed with a planning application to extend the existing buildings and develop them into a hotel and leisure complex. The ‘change of use’ application originally discussed with local residents will not be going ahead.

Waseem Yaqub adds: “We are looking for ways to add value to the site and getting planning permission for a hotel extension would certainly achieve this but we will still be keeping our options open.

“Aylesbury House is a beautiful but decaying structure that needs a new lease of life. We want to help to make this happen by adding as much value to the site as possible and protecting the site’s heritage at the same time.”

Caroline Spelman MP commented:

“I welcome the decision by RightStart to put their proposals for a drug rehabilitation centre in Hockley Heath on hold. It became clear that the local community felt this would be an inappropriate development in the Green Belt. I hope they will now give their support to RightStart as they pursue a strategy that could restore the Aylesbury House Hotel for its original purpose.”

As a respected member of the Midlands business community who was awarded an OBE in 2007, Waseem Yaqub is optimistic about the project. He said:

“As project leader, I am staying open minded and am already involved in some interesting discussions about possible uses for the site and we will continue to strive to be good neighbours locally. We welcome the support of the local community in our future endeavours.”

ENDS

Notes:

As a registered charity with its Head Office in Small Heath, Birmingham, Right Start (Reg. No. 1108939) is funded primarily by private donations and aims to develop and run projects that help to build a better society for all. As an organisation with strong links in the UK, the Middle East and in Africa, Right Start’s projects are designed to benefit communities in these areas of the world. Right Start is committed to being a good neighbour to local communities close to where its projects operate.

....STATEMENT FROM SMART COMMUNICATIONS ENDS.

HHRA Comment - there are confirmed sightings of work / trades persons actively working on the site!

It would be very wise to inspect the proposed pans for the hotel extention that is mentioned (Warwick District Council).

PREVIOUS NEWS....

HH No Start wrote to Smart Communications, the PR company for Right Start Foundation International, in late December 2011 to enquire as to the following:-

Please could you confirm or deny the two following rumors that are currently going around Hockley Heath.

1) Right Start are intending to apply for planning permission on Aylesbury House over the up coming hoilday season, a tatic often used in contentious planning applications and issues.

2) Workmen are working and living on the site, or in the grounds of Aylesbury House.

Smart Communications replied earlier this month (Jan 2012):-

Thanks for your enquiry and apologies for delayed response due to Christmas break.

We are planning to make a statement regarding planning in the next few weeks and will be in touch with you then.

From time to time it may be necessary for workmen to reside at the site.

We await further communication.

WHAT'S HAPPENED UP TO NOW....

Aylesbury House was purchased from its former owners in January 2011 by the Islamic Charity Right Start Foundation International, who renamed it as The Hyatt Heath & Wellbeing Centre.

Initially the RSFI website www.rightstart.org.uk described how the Hyatt was to be developed as a drugs rehabilitation clinic principally aimed at young men from Arab nations. Their families were also to be brought to the UK to aid in the rehabilitation process.

In early August 2011 our local newspaper published an article about this describing the centre as the UK's Betty Ford Clinic. It also stated how it would bring 50 jobs and substantial benefit to Hockley Heath as patients would be from very wealthy Arab families.

Many local residents felt that the article just didn't stack up and there was a public outcry about the development with concerns about drug crime and public safety in the village. Many felt that they were being hoodwinked as they couldn't see how these 'benefits' would materialise.

At the same time that local concerns were growing RSFI changed the item about the Hyatt on its website removing reference to drugs. They dated this update as May 2011 despite the fact that it occurred a long time after this. A spokesperson from RSFI later stated that the article on their website was incorrect as was the newspaper article.

On the same RSFI webpage as a reference to the Hyatt was a statement that their Affiliated NGOs included the Birmingham Drugs Action Team (Now named Birmingham Drug + Alcohol Action Team). More about that later.

A sub-committee, HH-No Start was formed early on to sit between the Residents Association and the Parish Council and this team in conjuction with members of HHRA are very active in raising awareness about this development and seeking information about it.

A series of four public meetings were arranged with RSFI spokesperson Mr Waseem Yaqub O.B.E being present together with RSFI's PR company Smart Communications. The meetings were well attended. On the first of these on 1 September 2011, at Hockley Heath Pavilion, so many protesters turned up that the building was quickly filled and many had to stand outside.

Whilst we understand that the Hyatt is to include a Health Spa, at none of the meetings were any plans or outlines produced, despite the fact that it was stated that a Planning application was to be made just a few weeks later at the end of September. This was later amended to 'towards the end of the year'.

Many local residents, local Councillors, an MP and also the Secretary of State for the Environment raised questions at these meetings, but most of them still remain unanswered. What did become clear was that alcohol abuse was also to be treated at the Hyatt as well as drugs abuse. The patient source nations were expanded to include first the UK, then the USA. The amount being spent on the redevelopment has changed from £4m to £6m. The initial purchase price was stated to be £1.1m. There are to be 20 beds available with an average of 15 filled at any one time. However, no provision has been made to accommodate the patients' familes who will also be travelling to the UK.

Other information gleened was that the Hyatt had been purchased as a result of donations by 3 'Investors'. Who these investors are and whom they represent was not stated other than they were from overseas. The RSFI plan is to run the centre on a profit making basis with the profits being used to benefit other RSFI charity work.

It became clear at these meetings that security was a prime concern for local residents. RSFI claimed that they were in consulatation with the police concerning this under the Secured By Design Scheme. We would state that the SBD Scheme is not there to protect local residents but only to protect anyone staying at the Hyatt from break-ins. It does not prevent patients from absconding or wandering around the village. We understand from Waseem Yaqub that patients will sign a contract stating that they will not abscond.

As regards 'consultations', from investigations we have made with the police offers responsible for this scheme in both the Warwickshire and West Midlands forces, no contact or consultations had been made with them at the time of asking. We believe however that other officers are aware of the development.

The RSFI spokesperson indicated that this was to be a pilot scheme but that research had been done into other similar ventures in the UK. When questioned he was not however able to name any except one, which was just a local 'drop in' centre.

We are concerned not only about the health and wellbeing of our own villagers but also that of any patients at the clinic/centre. We have therefore tried to establish the expertise of RSFI to get involved in substance abuse rehabilitation care, especially as this is a pilot project. So far the spokesperson has been unable to explain any of the 'cutting edge' treatments that are to be provided or confirm that they have any health professionals on board.

There is some slight comfort in that their website shows that BDAAT are affiliates of RSFI so one would assume a level of expertise. However we found conflicting information being supplied by BDAAT and RSFI. This was raised at the public meetings and as a result the offer was made by Waseem Yaqub at the Parish Council meeting in Lapworth on 6 September 2011 for RSFI to take a member of HHRA to see the joint projects between RSFI and BDAAT in action. The offer was accepted.

Also at this meeting it was stated that a website was being developed that would not only include the RSFI slideshow presentation given that night but also information about the development. This website would be available in a matter of days but to date (1.12.2011) the website has not been produced, only a webpage. So when going to the domain name www.hhwc.org.uk you are redirected to http://rightstart.org.uk/cure/ a page on their existing site and all this does is show a photograph of the Hyatt and trawl for your email address via a question form.

RSFI have also renaged on the proposed meeting to see the joint projects with BDAAT. Excuses have been given including that a 'suitable date couldn't be found' and that they have documentary evidence to back up the affiliation and so no meeting was necessary. None of this documentary evidence has been produced.

The information from RSFI and BDAAT conflict. At a recent public meeting the RSFI spokesperson accused HH-No start and a HHRA member of issuing misleading information, and of BDAAT giving HHRA false information. So to get to the facts HHRA have made 2 Freedom of Information Requests.

The first was of Birmingham City Council. An extract from this is as follows....

The following response has been provided by the Council’s Assistant Director, Equalities and Human Resources directorate:

As far as my department is concerned, we did provide funding against receipts of work delivered to Right Start under the Preventing Violent Extremism fund which we received from national Government.  This agreement was up until the end of March 2011. The nature of the funding against receipts does not make it possible for monies from this project to have been used to fund the buying of any properties. In any case, the cost was not substantial.

In light of the extensive experience they have in tackling violent extremism, they sit on the Prevent Programme Board with other community reps and this Board is chaired by Cllr Alan Rudge, and members include Directors and Assistant Directors of relevant Council departments.

Regarding the Drugs Action Team, I believe they have had funding from them in the past.  However, I have asked Right Start to provide me with that information but up to date I have not received a response.   Apparently, they are in the process of appointing a new Director and the current staff are yet to go into the archives to get the relevant information.  However, I would like to inform you that Cllr Rudge launched a major conference at the ICC organised by Right Start regarding drug rehabilitation in 2008 which was attended by a wide range of professionals.

They go on to say....

However, I would like to add that Right Start has a high reputation in Birmingham and nationally for the work it does with disadvantaged communities across the board and is one of the few BME organisations engaged with disengaged young people and for their work around drug abuse.

So a formal request for written confirmation of verbal information given by BDAAT to HHRA was made. This resulted in a second FOI request but this time to BDAAT. Extracts from the information provided are as follows...

BDAAT are not currently affiliated to the Right Start Foundation.

In 2007 BDAAT, in a partnership arrangement, facilitated submission of bids on behalf of the Right Start Foundation and a number of other organisations for funding from the Neighbourhood Elements Fund (NEF).  The Right Start Foundation were subsequently successful in securing funding of £18,764.50 for drug worker support for the period 1 January to 31 March 2008.  The bid was submitted to and allocated by Birmingham Safer Stronger which is part of the Local Authority  (The Safer and Stronger Communities Fund having been introduced for all Local Authorities in England in 2005 bringing together funding streams aimed at tackling crime, anti-social behaviour and drugs, empowering communities and prioritising the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods).

BDAAT became aware of the Right Start Foundation prior to 2007 as a result of an unsuccessful bid submitted to BDAAT for funding from the then BDAAT Pooled Treatment budget. BDAAT have not worked with the Right Start Foundation in a partnership or any other capacity since 2007.

From this work BDAAT would not be in a position to comment on Right Start Foundation’s expertise in the field of drug rehabilitation.

The information goes on to say that there are no projects currently running.

We reported in September that RSFI had been requested to remove the BDAAT logo. This has now been confirmed by the FOI request. The logo still remains on the RSFI website (as at 1.12.2011).

As regards the proposed meeting with BDAAT to see the joint projects the answer came back that....A meeting with RSFI has not been officially requested.

This revealls that HH-No Start and HHRA have not been misleading anyone contrary to the RSFI spokesperson's statements.

With no evidence of expertise provided, local residents are concerned that in an emergency local hospitals and doctors would be called upon to treat patients. They are also concerned about pressure on UK Border Agency staff, local police resources and an increase of drug dealers into the area.

As at January 2012

We still await the planning application to be made.

Secuirity barriers are in position on the Aylesbury House driveway but the 24 hour security guards and their vehicles have not been seen for some time.

The litter that had accumulated next to the security position and along Aylesbury Road has been cleaned up, floowing protests from us, by RSFI and Warwickshire County Council.

There appears to be some building work in progress on the site but it is not known if this is just maintenance or security work.