MORE than 100 people attended a heated meeting as opposition mounted against proposals for a mental health unit being set up near a school.

A private company is planning to set up the centre at Brent Way, Dartford, on a site backing onto playing fields of the Gateway Primary School in Milestone Road.

The Newtown Residents' Action Group has been newly formed to fight the scheme and member Gary Reynolds said; "The meeting was with the developers and it was quite angry at times.

"There were people firing questions and they couldn't cope with the barrage. We have nothing against people with mental health issues but this is the wrong place for this kind of centre.

"It is in a residential area and too close to a school. I am concerned because I have three daughters and we live close to the site and one of them goes to Gateway school."

The proposal is understood to be a two-storey low secure unit, which includes two wards housing men with various mental illnesses.

The proposal is by Gravesend-based company, Cubfield Ltd.

Dartford MP Dr Howard Stoate was this week sending letters to gauge residents' opinions so he could make representations to the company and council planners.

Management at Cubfield were not available for comment on Friday.

FULL STORY IN THURSDAY'S DARTFORD MESSENGER