About 20 residents attended a public meeting over plans to open a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Halstead.

The meeting, which was held on Monday in Queens Hall in Chipping Hill, was organised by Halstead Town Council.

Applicant Eytan Alexander, who has been given permission to turn the former Halstead Lodge care home in Hedingham Road into a rehabilitation centre, attended to answer concerns from nearby residents.

Speaking after the meeting, he said: “It was very positive, people were able to air what their concerns were and I gave them answers explaining what are looking to do.

“The more information I gave the more comfortable people became.”

Mr Alexander, who hopes to open the centre early in the new year, said he welcomed the chance to speak to residents and very much wants the centre to be integrated into the community.

John Brown, 81, of Frosts Mill, who attended the meeting said he was still slightly sceptical over some of the issues.

But he said: “It was quite a lengthy meeting, all he could do really was reassure everyone that it would be safe and the patients would be attended [when outside of the centre] at all times and tested when they returned.

“I suppose he did put people’s minds at rest, several people said they were happy it would be safe.”