Plans for a drug rehabilitation centre above a kindergarten in Wapping spark protests

Parents of children at a kindergarten in east London have protested against the city council's plans to set up a drug rehabilitation centre in the same building.

Tower Hamlets Council plans to create a “culturally sensitive substance abuse rehabilitation centre” on the floor above the Step by Step kindergarten in Wapping.

On Saturday, parents told BBC London at a demonstration that the location was not suitable for such a facility.

The council has said the centre will cater “exclusively” for people “whose recovery process is stable” and will also create “special rehabilitation spaces for women” and that it looks forward to feedback on its plans.

Kindergarten director Kelly Smith said she was “a little scared” about the plans, but was “so lucky” that she could count on the support of families in her opposition to the move.

“On the side of this building it says 'Wapping Children's Centre,'” said Elliot, a parent.

“Why don't we use it for what it was originally intended for? To support children, families and mothers in our community.”

The location “makes no sense” for the users of the facility, the daycare staff and the parents.

Eleven-year-old Dawid, who joined the protest, added: “I am quite disappointed with some people on the council who even suggest such a thing.”

“I think it is extremely inappropriate to have a drug rehabilitation center directly above a kindergarten.”

The families also claimed that the council had failed to carry out proper consultation or planning notice and had failed to address their concerns.

Matt Melbye, chairman of the St Katherine and Wapping borough safe neighbourhoods committee, said he welcomed the centre but questioned its location.

“If you look at Tower Hamlets and the drug problems that the borough has, [then] These provisions are absolutely necessary, they are absolutely essential,” he said.

“This is about location,” he added.

A Tower Hamlets Council spokesman said: “As this centre is designed to serve the needs of our community, feedback from residents will be vital to its success.”

“The center is intended exclusively for individuals who have completed a treatment program and whose recovery is stable.”

They added: “It will provide a range of services to support marginalised groups in our community, including a dedicated rehabilitation space for women as well as support for families.”

The council described centers of this kind as a “lifeline” for drug rehabilitation patients and their carers.

In addition, there will be education, counselling and training for caregivers, schools and the community, with resident involvement seen as crucial to the success of the programme, the spokesman said.