A PARENT rehabilitation centre has been given the go-head in Cricklade.

North Wiltshire District Council has granted permission for a residential property called Windmill House at Common Hill, to be converted into a family assessment centre.

The council received more than 40 years letters of protest about the application. Many people in the town mistakenly thought it would be a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts or paedophiles.

Dr George Hibbert and his co-director, solicitor Jill Canvin, operate the business, which assesses parents involved with care proceedings.

He said he was pleased with the decision but dismayed about the reaction from some residents.

"We won't cause any disruption," he said.

"I think some people have behaved absolutely disgracefully

"It speaks volumes about the attitudes of some people in Cricklade.

"I have a job to do and I just want to get on with it."

The centre should be up and running in next year after renovation work has been completed.

It is an extension of Assessment In Care, which has been running for two years in Tadpole Lane, Blunsdon.

The Cricklade property will be used to treat up to four families, where the parents' ability to look after their children has caused concern for the authorities.

Residents are not allowed to bring their own transport and staff always accompany them if they are off the site. It will only accommodate clients for up to three months.

But some locals are still not convinced the scheme is appropriate for Cricklade.

Elizabeth Franklin, 42, of North Meadow Road, organised a public meeting last month, which was attended by about 40 concerned residents.

She said: "I am not at all happy with the decision.

"We are still not fully aware of what is going on there and the information we do have so far is very disturbing."

Cricklade Town Council had supported the application after Dr Hibbert explained his work in detail.

Bhavvani Vadde