NEW premises are being sought for a drug treatment centre after residents objected to a planned town centre site.

Hartlepool's Drug Action Team (Dat) had applied to Hartlepool Borough Council for planning permission to turn offices in Raby Road into a drug treatment centre.

It would have provided rooms for counselling, a needle exchange and offices.

But following objections from local residents and a petition signed by staff at a local nursery, the owner of the offices withdrew his offer to sell the building to Dat.

Now the council is to agree to help the team find new premises for the centre.

A spokesman for the council said: "The development of an integrated drug service is essential and needs to be expedited, as a matter of urgency, especially as external funding is currently available.

"The issue of drugs, however, is an emotive one and there is often community fear based on inaccurate information, rather than authoritative experience and evidence."

Another building is now being considered next to Dat's premises in Grange Road.

It is hoped the two buildings could be knocked into one to allow counselling to take place and to help teach addicts to learn life skills for when they kick the habit.

The facility would also be used to coordinate services for all drug users in Hartlepool, and secure funding from regional and national bodies.

It is hoped that local people will not object to the proposal.

The council spokesman said: "As there is already planning permission in the existing building and it has operated in its present location for ten years, there is a view that the add-on of additional non-medical support services should not raise local concerns."

If approved, the centre would cost £200,000 to develop, which would be met by money from the Health Action Zone.

Tomorrow, councillors will be asked to agree to work with the health authority to secure the premises for the centre and to assume all legal responsibilities on behalf of Dat.