Concerns have been raised about proposals to extend a care facility in Spratton to create 84 new bedrooms.
The Broomhill, in Holdenby Road, was bought by St Matthews Healthcare last year and currently provides accommodation for 15 people suffering from a range of mental health issues.
But residents have expressed fears over plans to extend the former hotel to create further rooms for those who require rehabilitation over a long stay.
Spratton resident Paul Honeywell said: “I have a number of concerns about these proposals, the first being that they were submitted at a time when people are away on holiday and therefore they don’t have a chance to make their objections known.
“My second is that no-one seems to have any clue about these plans so I don’t feel a full and proper public consultation has taken place.
“That is before you take into account the effect any extension would have on the beautiful landscape, the increase in traffic and the issue of security.” But Sean Sidhu-Barr, managing director of St Matthews Healthcare, said a full and proper consultation was carried out.
He said: “We have held public meetings and there was an opportunity for people to air any concerns. I can understand people having fears but there is a real need for this kind of facility in the county.
“We will be putting just under £7 million into this project and it will create up to 100 new jobs in the area.” Daventry District Council has extended the deadline for Spratton Parish Council to assess local opinion – until September 18. There will be a further public meeting at Spratton Primary School on September 4 at 7.30pm. Individual objections must be submitted to the council by August 21.
