MORE than 120 residents are fighting plans for a "prison-like fence" around a mental health hospital.

Families living near Ashley House in Elder Tree Lane, Ashley, say the proposed 3.9 metre high boundary fence will install a fear of crime within the community.

They argue the "dense and oppressive" structure is not in keeping with the countryside setting and fear it will allow Care Principles, which manages the hospital, to take in more dangerous patients.

The 43-bedroomed secure hospital currently houses adults with low level learning disabilities and challenging behaviour who are detained under the Mental Health Act. Some are convicted criminals.

Care Principles says the plans for the new fence are in response to new Department of Health guidelines.

The planning application for the fence, which has been recommended for approval, is due to be considered by Newcastle Borough Council's planning committee tonight.

It was called in for discussion and scrutiny by two councillors due to the high level of public interest. Della Rowley, pictured, is spokesman for Stop Ashley House From Expanding (SAFE) action group, which formed three years ago and successfully opposed an expansion of the hospital. Care Principles had wanted to increase the number of beds to 67.

The mother-of-four, aged 48, of Mucklestone Wood Lane, Ashley, said: "If we get this new fence it will be a constant reminder of what is behind.

"I also fear there is the possibility that the people inside will not be as well supervised.

"At the moment there are two staggered, two-metre high fences, which are a little bit like a garden fence. They are more in keeping with the natural environment.

"This one will be black, powder coated and not in keeping at all."

In response to residents' concerns about the new fence, Care Principles' agent has written a letter to the council.

It states: "There have been two meetings with local residents.

"An initial proposal to substantially extend the boundary into the adjacent field was met with significant objection and so the proposal was reduced. The fence now proposed is to predominantly follow the existing secure boundary.

"Any further compromise will also compromise the physical security at Ashley House.

"The planning application is not in order to increase or change the category of patient or patient numbers.

"There will be no increase in staff or change to traffic patterns. The proposal is purely in response to the working document and the new fencing would make physical security more robust, which should alleviate a local fear of crime, perceived or real."

Separate planning applications for the construction of a storage building and car parking facilities are also due to be considered by the planning committee.