Plans to convert an Ashby care home into a 'new secure residential institution facility' could get the go-ahead week - despite hundreds of local residents campaigning to stop the development.

Next Tuesday's meeting of North West Leicestershire District Council's planning committee will discuss the application by Rushcliffe Care Group to convert Loudon House, in Ridgway Road, with advice that it should be permitted - but only with conditions designed to allay the fears of people living in the area.

But it adds that 'unfounded fear' and 'misunderstandings' would not justify refusing permission for the plans.

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council has repeatedly objected to the scheme because councillors have not been able to get a clear idea of what it will be used for following the demolition of the current building - despite the application being made over a year ago Ashby Town Council rejects Loudon House plans again.

The town council's planning committee was also concerned about what form it might take in the future without the need to apply for further planning permission if this application is agreed.

But a development control report has recommended that Rushcliffe only uses the building as a secure mental hospital - and must apply for permission again if they want to change its use in the future.

A month ago, we reported that a petition signed by over 770 residents objecting to the plans had been sent to North West Leicestershire District Council Hundreds sign petition to stop facility being built in Ashby.

People living in the area have expressed concerns that the new development so close to nearby houses and Ashby Willesley Primary School.

But a district council report addresses what it says are 'rumours that have been circulating' surrounding the plans for Loudon House.

And it has provided detailed responses to the matters that have been raised in an attempt to clarify Rushcliffe's plans.

Notably, Rushcliffe will be allowed to develop the building but any further plans will need to be monitored.

The District Council points out that no firm decision has been made yet.

This is the recommendation of non-elected officers only and that the planning committee will make its own decision on the night taking into account all the arguments put to them.

The report says: "There have been a high number of objections received to the application where residents have concerns that the development could be used for an alternative use within the C2A use class in the future - 40 letters of objection have been received to the application along with a petition with 771

signatures at the time of submission.

"This has led many residents to think that the development would be used as a prison or youth offenders institution.

"The applicant is clear in their submission that this development would only be used as a secure mental health hospital.

"Should permission be forthcoming, it is recommended to attach a condition to ensure that the application site is only used as a secure hospital and for no other purpose.

"This would then require the developer to apply for planning permission in the future if the use changes. It is considered that this condition should help to allay these concerns raised by neighbours.

"There is also a high level of concern that the building could become a prison (or similar use) in the future without the need for planning permission.

"As mentioned above, it is recommended to condition that the facility is only used as a secure mental health hospital.

"On that basis the development could not change use without a further planning application.

"With regard to the occupants of the secure hospital the applicant has advised that this specialist facility would not be used for prison admissions and by law they cannot admit patients coming from prisons.

"The service would be used to treat people from the local community who may suffer a mental health breakdown and need specialist treatment from doctors / consultants or from full a Multidisciplinary Team for rehabilitation before they are discharged back to their families.

"The applicant advises that patients are ordinary people that may need short term support in hospital before going back to their day jobs and looking after their families.

"It is clear from the representations received that there is a public perception of fear surrounding the nature of this proposal in terms of its potential impact on residential amenity and the safety and well-being of surrounding residents, including children attending the nearby primary school.

"Some neighbour letters express fear of the potential for anti-social or criminal patients to reside at the future facility

"Concerns have been raised by residents that occupants would be drug addicts.

"The applicant has stated that this specialist facility is not a drug and alcohol service.

"However, they may have patients who may suffer with a dual diagnosis.

"This is where the primary diagnosis would be mental illness such as depression or early onset dementia, although at times the patient could also have alcohol and / or drug problems which he or she would receive treatment for via the therapy team on site.

"Whilst it has been held that fear of crime may be capable of being a material consideration, in order to attract any significant weight, this must be based on some form of evidence rather than conjecture or prejudice.

"Planning case law has established that unfounded fear in itself would not be a reason to justify the refusal of planning permission.

"Furthermore, the applicant has clarified that security measures would ensure that no-one can enter or leave the building without the staff managing that. CCTV and high level fencing are also proposed to increase the security of the site.

"Moreover, much of the concern as to the nature of the future occupants appears to be based on a misunderstanding of the form of type of patients who would occupy the proposed development.

"The unit is design to cater for people who require treatment and assistance with their mental health and wellbeing.

"The applicant advises that the most common mental health problems are depression, generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder.

"It is concluded that little weight can be afforded to the perception of fear raised in representation, and that this would not constitute a justifiable reason to refuse permission for the development."

The report also says The Safeguarding Children Partnership for Leicestershire "has noted objections from members of the public particularly those relating to safeguarding and welfare of children."

It adds: "It is their view that there is no evidence that this development or the client group broadly would have a negative impact of safeguarding or welfare of children in the area.

"They would expect the organisation running the hospital to have risk management and safeguarding policies and procedures in place to safeguard children as well as adults with care and support needs."

The report concludes: "The principle of development is acceptable.

"The proposal is considered to be acceptable in terms of residential amenity, design, ecology, safeguarding, trees and highway safety.

"The proposal is deemed to comply with the relevant policies in the adopted Local Plan and the Ashby Neighbourhood Development Plan.

"It is therefore recommended that the application be permitted."