Care home appeal thrown out
A planning inspector has thrown out an appeal over controversial plans to extend a Shropshire care home for the mentally ill. People in Ashley, near Market Drayton, claimed they were subjected to abuse, noise problems and patients absconding from Ashley House when they attended a public inquiry last month.
The week-long public inquiry was held at Ashley Memorial Hall over the plans to extend the care home and it looked at revised plans submitted by owner Care Principles to extend the site which houses patients under the Mental Health Act.
Proposals to expand the 40-bed facility, in Eldertree Lane, were turned down in 2004 as members of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council feared the extension would reduce the quality of life for residents.
Planning inspector Peter Drew confirmed he had dismissed Care Principles' appeal over the council's decision for a number of reasons, including the fear of crime.
In his report he said some of the main issues to be considered were the effect the proposed development would have on the area's character, noise, and the fear of crime.
In his report Mr Drew said: "The residents of the local community have what are acknowledged to be genuine fears and concerns about the threat posed by the existing low secure unit to their quality of life.
"These fears have not been addressed and would be exacerbated by the proposed medium secure facility."
During the inquiry Care Principles denied the site was responsible for non-stop noise and that patients caused problems for residents.
