MENTALLY ill patients living in the area could soon be offered accommodation in Bradford on Avon.

District councillors, at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, November 28, recommended a proposal to turn wasteland, close to Fitzmaurice Primary School in Poulton, into homes for residential use and purpose-built flats for people with mental health problems.

At the moment there is no housing for mentally ill people in the area and the planned mixture of rented and private homes is hoped to support a balanced community.

Town and county councillor, Malcolm Hewson said: "It's vital that accommodation is provided for people with low level mental health needs to live in the community.

"I have a child at Fitzmaurice School and I have no particular fears about this development but I am quite sure that West Wiltshire District Council hasn't reached all parents of children at that school."

The report by West Wiltshire District Council suggests the land in Poulton is convenient for public transport, the town centre and access to the community mental health team.

Headmaster of Fitzmaurice School, David Hester said: "School governors will be discussing the issue further but there was a public meeting held here last Tuesday which was well attended by the public."

Sale of the land will also help to meet the council's target to provide affordable housing in the district, particularly in Bradford on Avon.

Described as an eyesore by many people, the site has been a wasteland for a number of years and selling it off will meet the need to recycle brown field sites.

Development of the flats will attract a grant of £767,000 from the Housing Corporation, which will also provide an extra £28,000 towards support services for the tenants.