Ashby de la Zouch Town Council has again objected to plans by Rushcliffe Care Group to convert Loudon House into a secure residential institution care facility - because it is still unclear what it will be used for.

Monday's council planning committee looked at revised plans submitted for the demolition of the existing care home and "redevelopment of the site to erect a new secure residential institution care facility (Class C2A secure hospital) with parking".

Just under a year ago, the same committee rejected Rushcliffe's plans for the Ridgway Road site on the grounds of 'unacceptable or incompatible use of the new building',

A meeting with representatives of Rushcliffe to ask more questions about the proposed development was requested.

But this week's meeting made it clear that little progress had been made in terms of finding out the exact purpose of the building.

Cllr David Bigby also pointed out that the manner of the application meant it could change the use at a later date without applying for further planning permission.

Nearby residents are also concerned that the facility would be close to Willesley Primary School.

Leader of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council, Cllr John Coxon, said: "I'm not happy about this application.

"I don't think many councillors, or members of the public who live in Willesley, will be either.

"There's no specific detail of what actually is going to go on there.

"Class C2A is not clear enough.

"We need to know exactly what it is they want to do in that building.

"There's also no risk assessment, it can't be done overall, it needs to be for a specific use.

"I move we recommend refusal, until we get some clear knowledge of what they want to do."

Cllr Bigby added his concerns that the facility could have wide-ranging uses.

He said: "They may say to use, 'We're going to use it as a secure facility for people with mental difficulties'.

"And I'm sure there's a need for that type of facility.

"But it could then be used for a whole range of different things in the future.

"It could be used as a prison, a young offenders institution, a detention centre or a secure hospital.

"A whole range of things could be opened up without any requirement for new planning permission.

"Also, Rushcliffe have not come back to us with the answers to questions we put to them, after promising they would.

"We asked for proof there was a need for this kind of facility in Ashby and they assured us there was.

"They have said 'There is notable evidence of need'.

"Rushcliffe have been very poor in liaising with us. I hope as many people as possible will be addressing North West Leicestershire District Council when it comes up before them."

But Cllr Roger Bayliss tried to allay any fears of a worst case scenario.

He said: "I'll go along with the refusal, we have very little information, very little co-operation and no follow up on the requests that have been made.

"But I do get a bit concerned about the automatic assumption that these people are going to let a hoard of sex maniacs and axe murderers loose on the pavements when they're probably not.

"I would like to hear more information and a fulfilment of the promises they've made."