Those living on a “family-heavy” housing estate fear plans to turn a home into a rehab centre will bring violence, drug use and anti-social behaviour to the area.

The owner of a three-bedroom terrace house has applied to use it as a substance misuse treatment facility for those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.

Located at 20 Leigh Road, in Great Easthall near Sittingbourne, the property, along with its bedrooms, has a lounge, kitchen, ensuite, bathroom, downstairs toilet and a garden.

The applicant, Ifeanyi Emmanuel Nduka, intends to change its use to a C2 residential business for “substance misuse (mainly alcohol detoxification) services”.

He said in his application: “The existing use of the property is residential, I reside at the property on my own and because it is a three-bed house, I sometimes host guests in my spare rooms on a short stay.

“The intended service that the change of use will be used for is residential substance misuse treatment and/or rehabilitation service.

“This will provide a health professional-led detoxification for up to three clients who need to reduce or abstain from substance misuse, in particular alcohol.”

However, the application on Swale council’s planning portal has been met with almost 30 objections.

Some highlight how the proposed facility may devalue properties in the area and put a strain on the roads nearby, but many living on the estate claim the rehab will only cause trouble.

Andrew Osborne, who lives a few doors up from the property, said: “I object to this most strenuously.

“This address is in the middle of a residential estate full of young children and families.

“It is not appropriate to have a premise used for these purposes in such a location because, I accept they are there to get well, but when there are instances where they are unsuccessful and they go and misuse substances and then return what will be the possible outcomes?

“Needles and alcoholic canisters dumped nearby, arguments and fights, potential overdoses in or near the property.”

Emma Butler, who also lives nearby agreed, adding: “There are surely better locations than the middle of a family-heavy housing estate and a route that many young children take to school with or without parents.”

Another woman, who lives close to Leigh Road but did not wish to be named, explained in her objection that she felt having a substance abuse recovery centre in the area was “going to bring it down” and attract crime to the area.

Kerry Mclynn, who lives in Mulberry Way, added: “I understand the need to help people but I do not think a family-orientated housing estate is a good idea for a rehab.

“We have had stabbings here already and robberies and have a lot of anti-social behaviour. It will make it worse.”

In November 2022 a teenager was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man was stabbed multiple times in Leigh Road.

Officers were called at around 12.40am on Friday, October 28, 2022 where a man was seriously injured.

The victim was flown to hospital during the early hours after being treated by paramedics on the ground and was in critical condition.

A 19-year-old man was arrested at the scene. He was released on bail, which has since been extended to April 26 next year.

Mobolaji Falana, who lives on the same road as the proposed treatment centre commented: “My family and I are seriously concerned about the anticipated adverse impacts on us and the community, specifically the heightened noise levels, unpleasant odours, and potential disturbances stemming from alcohol and drug use.

“This will jeopardise the quality of life for us and other residents and compromise the safety and tranquility of the neighbourhood especially for children.”

Danielle Prior, who also lives just up the road agrees.

She said: “Whilst I sympathise and understand people need somewhere to recover, an estate full of hundreds of young families and vulnerable adults definitely is not the right place to accommodate them.

“There is a huge risk that this could also invite more violence, drug dealing, anti-social behaviour and criminal activity to the estate.”

The application was first validated by the council in November, for more information on the plans enter 23/504808/FULL into Swale’s planning portal.

Swale council is unable to comment on the application at this stage and a decision is yet to be made.

Jamie Chaney, who runs The Recovery Lodge in Bapchild, knows about addiction more than most.

The 52-year-old set up his rehabilitation centre in 2015 after struggling with his own alcohol and drug problems.

Mr Chaney discovered whisky at the age of eight and when he was 13 he began drinking daily until he was 30.

He eventually realised he needed to try to get clean so he could turn his life around.

Speaking from his own experience of starting up a help unit he said: “These people are not drunk, they should be onsite all the time with staff who are looking after them and helping them.

“You have to be CQC registered, follow guidelines and stick to the rules, those looking after people who are struggling should all be trained to deal with incidents.

“A rehab facility won’t invite violence, it should stop it.

“These people are not well and should be looked after within the facility. They’re just normal people struggling with life.”

But he added: “It can disrupt those living nearby and this might not be the best place to have a rehab in my opinion, Great Easthall is a very residential area.”

Jamie explained The Recovery Lodge costs him £47,000 a month to run and £1.4 million to set up.

He said: “I do this job as it saved my life, I am passionate about helping people and we just about break even with profits and sometimes lose money.

“This is no money-making business, if you set something up like this you need passion.

“But these recovery places are needed.”