PLANS for a new substance misuse recovery support service near Clarendon Academy in Trowbridge have been described as “inappropriate” by the head of the school and neighbouring residents.

The proposals are being brought forward by Bath-based homeless charity Julian House, which was awarded the contract to provide such a service in Wiltshire, funded by the council, earlier this year.

The charity is in the process of purchasing Elizabeth Lodge, which is a former care home for adults with learning and physical disabilities in Cedar Grove, to create a facility that can support local people with addiction problems.

However, Elizabeth Lodge backs onto Clarendon Academy and at a public meeting held on Thursday at Wiltshire College, residents and parents of children at the school expressed concern about the location of the facility.

Clarendon headteacher Mark Stenton, who attended the meeting, told the Wiltshire Times: “We are engaging with Julian House and Wiltshire Council in the consultation process, but a lot of parents of this school and other schools nearby the facility are concerned.

“I expressed my concerns about the proposal at the meeting and while I am keen to get across my respect for the work that Julian House does as a service, I think to locate this facility so near to our school would be inappropriate.

“We are in no way criticising the work of Julian House, but it needs to be done at an appropriate location, rather than close to an education centre where hundreds of children walk every day.

“We will keep in touch with the local residents’ association, Julian House and Wiltshire Council and continue to discuss our concerns, which I believe the residents are absolutely correct to voice.”

Around 90 people turned up to the meeting held by representatives from Julian House, including Derek Adams, who chairs the College Estate Residents’ Association.

Mr Adams said: “The general feeling was that while we understand the need for such as facility, we do not feel this would be the right location as it is right next to the school.

“There are also two primary schools nearby and some of their children would also regularly walk past the proposed location. It is not a hostel as such, but a half way house for people experiencing problems with drugs and alcohol.

“There is a lot of concern from parents of pupils at the schools and from the residents who live near and the headmaster at Clarendon was quite vocal in his disapproval of the plans.

“Hundreds of children walk past there daily and we have to think about the possible associated problems caused by a facility dealing with those types of addictions.”

According to Mr Adams, a letter opposing the plans has already attracted more than 80 signatures and he has contacted the MP for South West Wiltshire Andrew Murrison.

Trowbridge and Wiltshire councillor Jeff Osborn, who was also at the meeting, said: “Julian House were good by being upfront about it. I wasn’t going to do anything without first discussing it with the local residents.

“There is opposition and I’m talking to social services and planning to get the position clarified. I can understand the concerns of local people and it will be difficult for Julian House to proceed unless they address the concerns of residents.”

Cecil Weir, fundraising and PR Director for Julian House, said the charity has a long history of providing similar services across projects in Bath and North East Somerset and Bristol, which was key to it being awarded the contract.

A statement from Julian House said: “This will not be a hostel for the homeless - rather it will be a facility that can support local people to address their addiction problems. 

“Residents will receive care and support from a specialist team of 10 staff employed by Julian House; alongside treatment, as required, from local specialist substance misuse services. Staff will be on site 24 hours a day.

“Although the process of purchasing Elizabeth Lodge is far from completed we thought it was important to talk to the local community and other stakeholders in the area. 

“This is why a public consultation session was organised at Wiltshire College. Amongst those attending were representatives from Wiltshire Police and Wiltshire County Council, as well as Julian House.

“Julian House is very keen to hear any concerns that people have and respond accordingly.  We will not merely pay lip service to those concerns. 

“We will do everything in our power to make the service a safe one, which delivers positive outcomes, without disruption or risk to any of our neighbours.

“This session at Wiltshire College was the first stage of the consultation process. We know some people have fears. Likewise there are unrealistic expectations about the level of unmanaged risk posed by the scheme.  

“We will take everyone’s feedback on board and, as appropriate, come back with detailed plans. It is very much in everyone’s interest that a safe, effective service is delivered.”