SWINDON could soon have two new drug treatment centres, including a needle exchange.

Swindon Council's planning committee is due to consider applications for two centres at a meeting next week.

The first application is for a drop-in centre in Maxwell Street.

The second is for NHS consulting rooms in Cricklade Court, Old Town, the plans for which include a needle exchange.

Planning officers have recommended that both schemes be given the go- ahead by councillors.

Residents living near the Railway Village have spoken out against the plans for the drop-in centre, which would be open from 10am until 4pm on weekdays.

The council has received 24 letters of complaint from residents.

The main points they raise are concerns about the centre's proximity to the residential area, noise disturbance, fear of anti-social behaviour, increases in traffic and parking problems and the impact on amenities.

Resident Alistair Horner said: "We admire this sort of work but we feel it doesn't belong in our residential area.

"The centre will be right in the middle of two play areas for children - Faringdon Park and Cambria Bridge recreation ground."

The NHS consulting rooms will be set in three, two-storey office buildings in Cricklade Court.

The rooms will be used for counselling, prescriptions, medical checks and a needle exchange for drug users.

The council has received six letters of objection to the plans which raise concerns about parking and health and safety risks.

They also say the plans go against the covenant of the buildings.

People working near the offices are also concerned that it could lead to drug users congregating in communal areas, causing intimidation to staff and visitors.

To counteract these issues, officers have suggested that the staff offices, which are to be located at 1 Cricklade Court, should not be open to the public or patients at any time.

They have also issued the condition that the centre only open from 9am until 7pm Monday to Friday, and 9am until 1pm on Saturdays.

Last month the Advertiser reported how drug treatment in the town failed to meet any of the targets set by the National Treatment Agency.

The council said it believed the failure to help drug addicts would cost £57m a year at least in resulting crime as addicts sought their fix.

The planning committee will meet on November 13 at 6pm in the council chamber, in the Civic Offices, Euclid Street.

For more information contact Swindon Council on 01793 463000.