A controversial care home has been given the go-ahead despite concerns of local residents.

The residential home in Herondale, Barstable, will house eight patients recovering from mental illnesses.

Nearly 30 names were collected on three petitions opposing the planning application.

But Basildon councillors have given it the go-ahead after they gained assurances from health chiefs about the kind of people who would be living there.

Ken Adlam, chairman of central Basildon area committee, said: "Before coming to a final decision on this application the committee wanted to visit the site.

"The concerns of local residents were noted. Although I can see nothing to support their claims about over-development, I can reassure them that the council has sought and obtained assurances from the health authority that anyone housed at Herondale will have been assessed as fit and safe to return to the community.

"In short they would be extremely unlikely to pose any kind of threat to anyone."

When plans for the home were discussed at a meeting in February local residents were concerned the patients at the home could be a danger to the local community.

One woman, said: "We're really concerned about our children. How can you guarantee their safety from people suffering with mental illness?"

Other residents at the February meeting expressed concerns about parking problems in Herondale getting worse and house prices being affected.

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