ALMOST 200 people turned out to object against plans for a rehabilitation centre for addicts to be opened in Darwen.

There was heated debate at a meeting between residents and the Christian charity Reto UK at the United Reformed Church, Bolton Road, over plans to convert a large house in Holly Tree Close.

The charity currently operates from a house in Blackburn Road, but organisers want to expand and said the new building, known as The Woodlands, could house up to 40 men from outside the area with drug and alcohol addiction.

At the meeting, organised by Whitehall councillors David and Karimeh Foster, residents submitted letters of objection and signed a petition which will now be handed to Blackburn with Darwen Council planning chiefs.

Coun Karimeh Foster said: “A lot of people wanted to come to show their concern at these plans.

“There is objection and strong feeling in the local community.

“Let’s face it, people using alcohol and drugs need to be helped, but this is not the best location.

“They need somewhere more secure, comfortable and where they can be treated with care and humanity.

“We’ve got a responsibility as councillors to represent the views of residents.”

Jake Berry, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Darwen, and also a property lawyer, said he would help residents fight the “absurd application”.

He said: “I have nothing against rehabilitation, but this is not a suitable place for it to be.

“It’s an absolute disgrace what they’re proposing to do.

“It’s down a small road in a residential area near a school.

“I will be putting an objection form on my website that people can easily print off or email to the council.”

But project leader Lance Reagle said the charity had “a perfect track record” and vowed to win residents over.

Mr Reagle, originally from New York, lives in the Blackburn Road building along with his family and 16 men.

The charity’s work involves renovating donated furniture and selling it at a reduced rate.

It also runs a shop in Darwen and employs six full-time staff to help the residents.

Its services, which often come via referrals from other charities, are offered to men from outside East Lancashire because organisers believe locals find it harder to overcome addiction if they stay in their own area.