A PSYCHIATRIC rehabilitation centre providing care and accommodation for more than 40 male patients could be coming to Fleur-de-Lys causing mixed reaction among local residents.

Cambrian Healthcare has submitted a planning application to Caerphilly Council to redevelop the former residential care home at Holly House, Victoria Road, into a 42-bed centre.

If councillors give the plans the go-ahead, the centre will provide intensive psychiatric rehabilitation and a step-by-step programme to help patients return to independent living in the community.

This potential site though is causing concerns for some of the nearby residents on Victoria Road.

Katherine Matthews, 37, said: “It is a very reputable company but I have young children and their safety to think about.”

Stephen Jones, 47, added: “The centre has to be placed somewhere but when it is at the end of your street, it does make you think."

Others though are happy for the plans to go ahead.

Michelle Wehden, 44, said: I have no problem with it being placed there.”

Ronald Harries, 72, said: “People have got to be given a chance to get back into the community.”

Patients who will be cared for in the centre will all be men aged between 18 and 65, most of which will have recovered from an acute episode of mental illness and deemed suitable for community-based rehabilitation.

Most patients will have been diagnosed with either depression or schizophrenia and will have been registered and regulated by the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales.

All patients will be vetted by medical professionals.

A similar centre for women patients was opened in Rhymney in 2007.

Between 50 and 70 full and part-time staff will be based at the centre with roles including nursing, therapies, administration and catering.

The accommodation will be provided in the form of 30 en-suite bedrooms and 12 individual bed-sits over two floors.

Meeting rooms, a restaurant and a lounge area are also included in the plans as are a residents’ garden and a car park.

Councillors will now decide whether to grant permission for the redevelopment at a planning committee meeting this Wednesday.