New care facility for Newbury?
A psychiatric home for patients suffering from mental illnesses could be built at land at Newbury Rugby Club
A PSYCHIATRIC home for patients who suffer from a variety of mental illnesses could open in Newbury after Newbury Rugby Club agreed to sell land at its Monks Lane ground to a health care company.
The £3.5 million care facility would provide permanent residence for 24 patients whose diagnosis range from depression to severe head trauma, at a site next to, and of similar size to, Falkland Surgery in Monks Lane.
The president of Newbury Rugby Club, David Smith, said a deal had been made subject to confirmation of planning permission, but refused to reveal how much the club, which has debts of over £100,000, could make.
The 24 patients would be moved from Prospect Park in Reading, their home for seven years since the closure of a previous psychiatric hospital in the area, Fairmile.
They would be free to mix with the local community as part of their rehabilitation.
Priory Healthcare, the largest UK independent provider of mental health services, was contracted by West Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to provide the care facility, which will create up to 40 jobs.
A spokesman for Priory, Graham Robb said: “It's not a secure unit, it is a care home for people with acute needs who have long term physical and mental conditions who cannot ever live at home.”
“These are gentle individuals who couldn't live without a level of support. They are not going to get better, but they are not going to be able to function at home.”
Priory said it had submitted plans for the building to West Berkshire Council, but the local community had not yet been consulted, which was a point of concern for several nearby residents.
Monks Lane resident Morton Evans said the development “could open a hornet's nest”, and he was disappointed that the club had decided to give up the land.
“Why did we buy a house in Monks Lane? Its a quiet, peaceful area. The road can get very congested, especially when the schools empty and this will just make it worse,” he said, adding he was strongly opposed to the club's decision.
Others were concerned over varying aspects of the proposals, including the proximity of the proposed development to nearby Park House school.
The transport links and nearby community facilities were named as factors in deciding why the site had been identified, according to Trevor Torrington, the managing director of Priory Healthcare.
On the future of other land surrounding the rugby club, Mr Smith said other pockets at the 35 acre site could be sold off should appropriate bids be made, and schools and sports clubs could feasibly expand and invest in other parts of the site.
“We had decided the area would be sold should an appropriate offer of use be made and we decided that would be an appropriate use of that part of the land,” he said.
“We will always look to maximise the use of the land that we have available up there.”
He added that he was hopeful the money would go back into the club.
A leaflet drop will take place over the coming days informing residents of a consultation clinic to take place at the Hilton Hotel, Pinchington Lane in Newbury on April 14, between 3pm and 8pm.
Anyone wishing to make an appointment should telephone Michelle Bond on 01325 363436 or email michelle.bond@recognitionpr.co.uk.
Each appointment is to be booked in advance by telephone or email.
A website has been set up to provide more information, which can be accessed by clicking the link below.
