POLICE have objected to an application to build a 56-bed mental health facility on the edge of Wiveliscombe.

Middlesex-based company CMS Developments has submitted an application to Taunton Deane Borough Council to build two 28-bed mental health homes on three acres of an 11-acre site to the east of Wiveliscombe.

One building would be 'low secure', while the other would offer care in a 'locked door environment' for women suffering from depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and other disorders.

The land is within the town's development limits and already has outline planning permission to be used for industrial purposes and warehousing.

CMS Developments claim the homes would create around 120 full-time jobs, but residents have already started lodging both objections and letters of support with the borough council.

Some argue the facilities are badly needed and would create employment, others are fearful about security at the two homes and say the site is unsuitable due to its proximity to an existing abattoir and sewage works.

Among the objectors is Inspector Andy Bell of Taunton and Wellington Police.

He said that until policing and crime concerns associated with the development could be offset, he had no choice but to oppose the plans.

In a letter to the council's planning department he said: "We are in good and productive talks with the developers and potential operators of this proposed unit with the aim of having a unilateral undertaking under a Section 106 agreement to mitigate the policing/anti-social behaviour/crime concerns regarding this development.

"These talks have not as yet led to a formal agreement/undertaking.

"Therefore, and until we have a formal agreement, this planning application is opposed at this time."

Agents acting on behalf of CMS Developments said there was a dire need for such mental health facilities in the South West, particularly for women, as the only other similar centres were located in Abergavenny in Wales, Bristol, Hampshire and West Sussex.

In the application, the agents said: "The site forms part of a wider scale strategy for the development of a business and trading park on the eastern perimeter of the town boundary.

"The proposal site is located in the north east corner of the site in order to maximise the views of the patients across the rolling countryside beyond."

The low secure facility would be single-storey at the front of the site, while the two-storey locked centre would be located behind it.

The agents said the two homes would be surrounded by security fencing, landscaping and "acoustic screening".

There were also hopes to provide an area to enable patients to grow vegetables and rear farm animals to aid their therapy and recovery.