Mental health flats expand

The unit in Hawthorn Farm Avenue, Northolt, will house 11 people with moderate mental health problems, such as depression, schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorders, if the work is carried out.

Residents have opposed the plans, saying the people living there would put local children at risk.

They claim it is already a

seven-bed supported housing unit which was never given permission to change its use from a family home and that emergency vehicles had been called to the site in the past.

One said: "It is a disaster waiting to happen."

If approved the development will include a two-storey extension to two sides and four parking spaces.

But officers dismissed the concerns, adding that staff would be on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week, there would be no danger to resi
dents and there was a need for such a unit.

A council officer wrote: "It appears that the property is already operated as supported housing with a total of seven residents. The application aims to (standardise) the use."

The development also had two letters of support from Manor Gate Community Health Resource Centre and Brent Council Housing and Community Care.

Councillors will decide whether to approve the proposals on Wednesday.