COUNCILLORS have been told to boycott the official opening of a drug and alcohol addiction support centre because it is operating without proper planning consent.

The Open Road centre for drug addicts, alcoholics and their families in Southview Road, Vange, opened in April.

However, Basildon Council’s planning department has sent an e-mail to councillors advising them not to attend its official opening ceremony on June 24.

This is because the centre only has planning permission to operate as an office base.

It does not have consent for the wide range of support services it provides to local addicts.

Lynda Gordon, leader the council’s Labour group, said: “We’ve agreed not to attend the opening ceremony because if they haven’t got the right sort of planning permission, that means local people haven’t been properly consulted over whether they want the centre there.”

Open Road spokeswoman Carol Macasckill insisted the council’s planning department was at fault over the mix-up.

She said: “We went through all the correct planning processes before opening.

“We made it very clear throughout what we wanted to use the building for and were only told last week the planning permission we have is not correct.

“I can only assume there must have been some sort of mistake on the council’s part. We have now submitted a revised application.”

She added the centre, which provides counselling, advice and group support services, will stay open while the revised application is being considered.

A recovering heroin addict, who asked not to be identified, spoke positively about the centre.

He said: “It’s beneficial that’s for sure. There are a lot of good groups here and if you want help you can get it.”

Gerry Levelle, Basildon Council’s head of environment and community services, said: “Following the change of occupier earlier this year, it has been identified the drug rehabilitation alcohol centre is currently operating in breach of the approved use covered by the existing planning permission on the building.

“The current occupiers have been advised of the breach and invited to submit an application for change of use.”