RESIDENTS in three Hampshire villages are fighting plans to turn a hotel into a unit for mental health patients.

Beagle Healthcare, a private medical company, wants to transform Upland Park Hotel, on the edge of Droxford, into a centre for 30 people sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

About 130 people, including some from neighbouring Meonstoke and Soberton, packed into a public meeting at the village hall to show their opposition.

They expressed doubt that the facility was needed and that the private nature of the development would mean it would be treated more like a business, therefore affecting the choice of patients to be admitted.

There was also low confidence among residents because Beagle Healthcare has no previous experience in this field.

Professor Alan Hibbert, chairman of Droxford Parish Council, said after the meeting: “There are no surprises that the vast majority of people in Droxford and the surrounding areas don’t want this thing in the village.

“They are concerned about low security and the kind of potential inhabitants that could include sex offenders, paedophiles and schizophrenics.

“The view that prevails is that this is too much for a small rural village, and we already have the Alpha alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre in the village.”

Cllr Tony Coates, who represents Droxford on Winchester City Council, added: It is correct to say that the local community on the whole are upset at the idea of a low-risk secure mental health unit in Droxford.

“People’s concerns are about the security of the proposed facility and the risk it could pose to the public. They have had a lot of assurances from the people who put forward this proposal, but they aren’t convinced.”

Dr Oliver Sargent, of Beagle Healthcare, insisted there was a need for such an establishment, which may not open until 2012.

He said: “The unit will be staffed by people who are professionals in the field and the responsible medical officer will be a consultant psychiatrist.

“All aspects of the unit will be regulated by the Healthcare Commission and we’ll be working closely with them to ensure that we have the best possible service.

“We chose Droxford because it’s the best site available.

“There is a significant underprovision of mental health beds in Hampshire. This means that patients are often cared for outside Hampshire, which is both bad for the patients and expensive for the NHS.”