A CHARITY'S housing scheme for schizophrenics has sparked fear in a West End community.

'Making Space' wants to build flats for seven people with mental health problems on the site of a former scout hut off Leighton Street,

The complex would be surrounded by homes in Underwood Lane and Oxford Street, many of them less than 20 feet from its walls.

The residents claim they already have more than their fair share of 'strange and difficult' neighbours.

Drug abuse, threatening behaviour and vandalism already cause problems. Now they are afraid such a new concentration of troubled individuals will mean more misery.

Three hundred of them have signed a petitition and they have written to MP Gwyneth Dunwoody and Cheshire's Chief Constable seeking help and support.

"This is just not the right place to put such a complex. We know these people have to live somewhere, but surely not right on top of our families. There are a lot of elderly people here and children who play all around and in the Derby Docks park nearby. We are very concerned for everyone's safety and feel that the youngsters will have to be kept indoors and our homes guarded if this plan goes ahead," said local Residents' Association chairman Jan Wright.

"Some schizophrenics have proved to be murderers and paedophiles. National figures show that out of 533 around ten killed someone. I'm sure the charity will say that their residents are not in this category. But who knows what might happen. Some people are really terrified at the prospect," he added.

Mother-of-two, Sarah Grey, is both fearful and angry over the proposal.

"If it goes ahead I won't want to let my youngsters out of my sight. We already have to put up with bad behaviour from a few difficult neighbours who could well stir up trouble with the newcomers, she added.

Grandmothers Maureen Williams, Jean Waterhouse and Alison Halden share her fears for the children.

"We are already on our guard. Drug abuse is all around us and needles and syringes have been picked up by youngsters, some in the park," said Mrs Waterhouse.

But Making Space claim the kind of people they want to house would not be violent.

"They will have a variety of mental health problems and will be carefully selected after consultation with Health Authority and Social Services staff. All of them live locally now but don't have the independence coupled with adequate support that they would get in the complex," said Development Manager Dave Matthews.

An eighth flat would house a caretaker and there would be an office for a part time support worker.

The charity already had 46 similar schemes. All of them were running successfully and none had caused conflict with the surrounding communities, Mr Matthews added.

He revealed that explanatory letters had gone out to local residents and the charity was planning to visit individual homes so that people could voice their worries and ask questions.

A drop-in information session has also been lined up for Tuesday, September 12, at Grosvenor Court from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Although discussion has taken place with local council representatives planning permission has not yet been sought.

"But we expect to make an application in the near future," said Mr Matthews.

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