FAMILIES are in ‘uproar’ over plans to open a recovery house for rehabilitating drug users.

Residents in Higher Heys, Oswaldtwistle have expressed their concern as Recovery Homes are set to open a site on the road.

The group provide housing for people with problematic substance misuse and/or offending history, who require safe and comfortable homes and support.

Anthony Gibson, 44, lives on the street with his wife and two daughters aged nine and five.

He said: “It’s worrying, I’m very concerned about this.

“It’s just the way they’ve gone around it, I don’t think it’s a good move.

“There’s the Heys Inn pub at the end of the street as well, it’s not the right place for them.”

Recovery Homes also run sites in Stanley Street and Chapel Street in Oswaldtwistle and has been running homes for around 11 years.

Another resident on the street said: “It’s becoming a dumping ground for drug users.

“There’s been uproar on the street, everyone is furious.

“I’m worried before long we’ll be seeing needles and anti-social behaviour in the street.”

Work has just been complete on the site which is set to welcomes residents.

The street has less than 20 houses and is home to several young families.

Cllr Julie Livesey, who represents the area on Hyndburn Council, has had residents come to her with the problem and feels the site is ‘inappropriate’.

She said: “My concern is that it’s a very small terraced streets with young families and I don’t think it’s an appropriate location.

“People recovering from drug use do go back to it sometimes.”

Cllr Judith Addison said: “I really don’t think that it’s fair on the people living on the street. No thought has been given to them.

“I’m not sure if its the best place for the site with a pub at the end of the road and Hippings Methodist Primary School round the corner.”

Recovery Homes project director Tom Kirkwood said: “This sort of accommodation is badly needed.

“We only get in people who are 100 per cent committed to the recovery.

“We pretty much guarantee they are going to be model citizens. Everyone deserves a second chance.

“If anyone is found using drugs or alcohol they will be removed immediately .

“If people are sent to bedsits they are much more likely to go back into their old habits.

“Who better to have as a neighbour than someone who isn’t doing any drugs.”