A SOLIHULL village could be the location for a drug rehabilitation facility for wealthy clients from the Middle East if proposals get the go ahead.
Hockley Heath residents are demanding answers after the private Aylesbury House Hotel was sold to Right Start Foundation International.
The charity intends to operate the former hotel as the Hyatt Medical Centre, an exclusive residential drug rehabilitation unit, which will target well off young men with addiction issues particularly those from the Gulf region as well as celebrities.
Tracie Pal, from Hockley Heath Parish Council, said: “We held a parish council meeting last Thursday and many residents voiced an opinion on it.
“The parish council is totally behind the village but we can’t do anything until it goes through planning.
“We are in the process of writing to the charity and to those organisations that have links with them asking them what their intentions are. We do need to be careful that there isn’t mass hysteria though.”
Villager Diane Reynolds, of School Road, said she was appalled by the idea.
“This is a small village. We certainly don’t want our children mixing with drug addicts.”
Lapworth parish councillor, Ross Giles added : “If interest is great then we will have an open meeting.”
A spokesperson for Right Start was keen to alleviate villagers’ concerns.
He said: “Unfortunately there are some errors on our website but I can reassure local people that we are in the very early stages at the moment and we have every intention of liaising with residents.
“As a charity we would like to operate as a health and wellbeing centre along the lines of the Betty Ford Clinic.
“I can totally reassure villagers that the facility will be completely private and secure and everyone is welcome to come and speak to us at Aylesbury House with their concerns. They can e-mail info@rightstart.org.uk.”