The Challenge Trust organisation have set up business at 218 Greenhithe Road and we now have our own holiday home for young adults with Mental Health and Addiction Issues in the Village. However, they do not have council consent and have had to apply in retrospect. Any ideas how we can stop their operation would be most welcome. 15 April 2011.

This post has been removed as it is alleged that it is defamatory to the Challenge Trust, and a fictional representation of the meeting that has been reported. Anyone following this thread is urged to consider this in light of subsequent posts.

Regards,
Site Admin

Answer 25 says it all doesn't it?

They call the people staying 'clients' therefore it's a business. The answers to the questions clearly show a lack of professionalism, security planning and concern for the local community. While the zone plan allows for a boarding house it does not allow for a mental health facility. It is a small home on a small site, sharing a drive and overlooking neighbors. Is also right by the school bus stop.

If someone goes ahead and establishes a business without first getting resource consent I think they should automatically be denied that consent. It would soon get the message across!

The report of the question and answer session gives no information about where it took place or under what circumstances. Nor does the report give any information about the aims or objectives of the Challenge Trust. Fortunately they maintain a useful web site and relevant information can be obtained at http://www.challenge.co.nz/trust/services/ . The Trust appears to be a reputable and well established organisation which has maintained a low profile. There is no obvious reason why they should not be good neighbours.

I get the clear impression from the tone of the questions that the questioner objects to the presence of the facility and is looking for reasons to justify his attitude. If they are to be judged by the Greenhithe community we need much more information than a list of answers to a list of disapproving questions. It would not be unreasonable to find out where in the Auckland-Northland region the Challenge Trust runs similar facilities and whether or not any of them have been attended with more trouble than the community at large.

Regards,

Eric Stevens