A mass protest has been held against plans to set up a drug rehabilitation clinic near two schools.

Residents are furious at the lack of consultation before an application by Hillingdon Primary Care Trust (PCT) to change use of the Com-munity Health Council offices, on the corner of Belmont Road and Lancaster Road, Uxbridge.

As well as backing on to Hermitage Nursery, the clinic would be just 50 yards from the Once Upon A Time nursery, and 300 yards from Hermitage Primary School.

Five petitions have already been submitted to Hillingdon Council to delay the planning process, to give the nurseries and schools a chance to represent themselves at a committee meeting, and more than 100 objection letters have been sent.

John Maskell, of North Uxbridge Residents' Association, said: "Where there are drug users there are likely to be drug pushers. There is also likely to be litter such as needles on the ground, and with kids walking around this is dangerous.

"The consultation for this was not very wide, perhaps as little as six houses. I understand that there is a need for this type of unit in society, but the siting of it is unfortunate."

The application has also been described as cynical, for being lodged while the nurseries are on their summer break. The opening times of the centre coincide with the opening times of the nurseries, which concerns parents who believe that their safety is being jeopardised.

A woman who lives on Fairfield Road and asked not to be named, said: "My daughter attends Hermitage Nursery, and I feel the PCT has acted irresponsibly and put the safety and welfare of our children bottom of their priorities when considering the location of this unit."

Councillor David Yarrow, (Con, Uxbridge North), said: "I understand they will have a number of security measures inside the building for the staff, but what about the safety of the public when these characters are ejected? I think it is appalling, it is just the wrong place to put it."

Gareth Jones, joint commissioning manager for drugs and alcohol issues at Hillingdon PCT said: "We acknowledge we should have engaged with local residents earlier in the process of moving from Harrow to Uxbridge, but we are now committed to ensuring we listen and respond to any issues that the local community have raised about the service."

Blenheim CDP, the organisation which will run the drug centre, declined to comment.