ANGRY York traders say drug addicts using a nearby treatment centre are making their lives a misery.

They have been appalled to learn that the Turning Point facility in Micklegate has been operating for more than a year without planning permission.

Dave Schofield, who runs Micklegate Newsagents, said addicts using the centre were abusive to staff and customers and had stolen a range of goods, including three charity boxes.

Evidence has also been found of addicts "shooting up" in the toilets of a nearby caf.

Turning Point is a service for offenders who are subject to drug treatment and testing orders imposed by the courts, and also offers counselling and practical advice to drug addicts, alcoholics and people with mental health problems.

Its bosses have now submitted a retrospective planning application, after being reported to City of York Council planners.

"It's disgusting that the centre has been operating without permission," Mr Schofield said.

"Nobody wants it in Micklegate. We're constantly being robbed."

Paul Abbott, who runs Micklegate Post Office, wrote to Turning Point to complain about the behaviour of the addicts.

Director Nick Harris replied by saying: "It is the nature of both our respective businesses that they exist to help vulnerable people. It is unfortunately true that some clients will do things over which we have no control."

Mr Abbott said: "We've had endless trouble. The centre admits that they can't control them."

Quentin Marris, Turning Point's area manager for the Yorkshire and Humber region, said: "I do have a lot of sympathy for local traders if they feel their businesses are threatened in any way by drug-using offenders.

"I don't have any evidence of there being an increase in this since we opened the centre.

"If we are informed that there is a direct connection, then we do everything we can to ensure it doesn't happen again."

Mr Marris said it was a "big surprise" when Turning Point discovered it needed planning permission for the centre.

It had been led to believe the use would have been permitted under the shop's current classification.

"It was as much a surprise to us as it was for the traders," he said.

A spokesman for City of York Council said if the retrospective planning application was refused by councillors, the local authority would serve an enforcement notice on the centre. He said no objections had yet been lodged.

Updated: 11:01 Tuesday, March 23, 2004