Plans to turn the house into a drug rehabilitation hostel was rejected

Conwy Council planners turned down an application by Clwyd Alyn Housing Association to convert a house divided into flats in Old Colwyn, into a hostel for eight people.

Councillor Bob Squire, who represents the Eirias ward on the council, said the decision was a step in the right direction for an area whose availability of bed sits and flats had attracted 'undesirables' from outside.

"We've got to start saying 'enough is enough' because we've had more than our fair share of undesirables in Colwyn Bay which has been going on for years," he said.

But a charity helping people with drug and alcohol addiction said the problems there were no worse than anywhere else.

"It is common knowledge that Colwyn Bay used to attract criminals from prisons in England," said Mr Squire.

We are trying to help people and we don't want them wondering the streets with alcohol and drug problems causing problems Mike Batey, Touchstone 12's general manager

"Residents in Old Colwyn are fed up with vandals and gangs gathering on street corners and people are afraid to walk the streets at night."

He is calling for a selective demolition of some bed sits and flats as part of a regeneration plan.

The council received 17 letters of objection to the planning application.

Colwyn Bay mayor Chris Hughes said many people were "delighted" with the council's decision.

Touchstone 12 already houses eight people in supported accommodation who attend a rehabilitation centre.

Uncertain future

The charity provides therapy for men and women and say their properties are alcohol and drug free.

They had applied to move from one part of the town to another because their landlord wants to sell the property they occupy - but the application was refused

Mike Batey, Touchstone 12's general manager, said he was "frustrated" by the decision and said the charity faced an uncertain future.

"The landlord has been quite good and is allowing us to stay until we find somewhere else, but I don't know how long that can go on for."

He agreed the availability of flats and bed sits were attracting people with drug problems to Colwyn Bay.

But he said the town's problems "are no different from any other town or city".

"We are trying to help people and we don't want them wandering the streets with alcohol and drug problems causing problems.

"If we take this away from them, where do they go?"