Lighthouse Project face eviction again

Carl Roach, Development Manager, The Lighthouse Project

Having just got settled into their temporary location at the Cromer Mill local support Charity Inspire Middleton is facing the prospect of having to ‘up sticks’ and look for new premises, as yet again their building owners plan to redevelop the site they occupy.

With just a few months left of their temporary licence, and even though the Cromer site is ideal, the Lighthouse Project, Middleton Central Foodbank, and Middleton DIAL could soon find themselves without a base to operate from. This is a concern for the group which has previously spent the last 12 months looking around the town centre for a suitable building that could become their permanent base.

Development Manager Carl Roach said: “We are concerned about this, not just for ourselves, but for the visitors that we support; we’ve spent over 6 years building up a great community resource that could all be lost if we have no building.

"For many of our visitors the Lighthouse Project is a vital lifeline of help and support – and suitable buildings are in short supply.

"We have asked the owners if we can stay but they are keen to demolish the front part of the building to create a service yard for the large warehouse at the rear, which will also be given a new frontage so this unit can be accessed directly off Hilton Fold Lane instead of Hanson Close.

"The site is being marketed as Hilton Point and we understand from Mark Robinson, Assistant Director of Planning & Development, that whilst no planning application has yet been made for the proposal, the Council has been approached about the idea and they are favourable towards the development."

Since moving into the bigger space at the Cromer Mill the Lighthouse Project has expanded what it does, including setting up new health initiatives with the ‘best foot forward’ walking group and the indoor ‘pop-up’ sports area.

Mr Roach added: “There are many needs that the community faces and we have always been keen to expand what we offer, especially as frontline services continue to be cut by the Council and other organisations which reduce the options and range of support that people have access to.”

The group is preparing to launch a new publicity campaign which will promote the importance and value of what they do along with the range of services that are available, as well as raising awareness of their property need.

If you feel you can help  contact Mr Roach via the Lighthouse Project website:

 www.lighthouseproject.org.uk