CONCERNED residents have called for a meeting about security at a psychiatric unit before councillors decide on expansion plans.

Managers at Kemple View, Langho, where a dangerous patient escaped last month, have unveiled plans to construct a new 18-bed unit.

The development, at the edge of the plush Rydings housing estate, will house patients detained under the Mental Health Act and replace plans for a 16-bed unit, for which the hospital already has planning consent.

The matter is due to come before Ribble Valley Council's planning and development committee but residents want to air their concerns at a public meeting before a decision is made.

Mum-of-two Siobhan Phillips, 33, who lives at the Rydings, said: "I moved here two years ago and was walking around the grounds of the hospital with my seven-week-old baby quite freely when I was asked by a member of staff to leave immediately as it was dangerous.

"I made inquiries and discovered that a dangerous patient was on the run. I was completely shocked, as I had known nothing about the unit.

"A residents' liaison group was set up when the houses were built a decade ago, but people moved and committee membership dwindled.

"A new committee is now up and running and we want a complete review of security at the site, including improved CCTV and a barrier at the main entrance.

"There have been several high-profile absconsions in recent years, but we are now faced with the prospect of more patients, with no apparent improvement in security.

"Until the managers of Kemple View can prove that security has improved, we are calling for this application to be deferred."

Recent absconsions at Kemple View have included John Hill, 30, who was sent to the unit after being convicted of making threats to kill.

He escaped in August and returned after 24 hours, although police had warned he was dangerous and advised the public not to approach him.

Kemple View houses up to 64 patients referred under the Mental Health Act for treatment with a view to stabilise and rehabilitate them back into society.

Security measures at the site are said to include restricted opening windows, double entry doors, perimeter fencing and CCTV, but it is not classed as a high or medium secure unit.

Kemple View director Peter Handy said: "We have applied to transfer an existing planning consent to another part of the site.

"Issues of security are of paramount importance to us and we are more than happy to meet councillors and residents to discuss the application."

Ribble Valley Council leader Chris Holtom added: "We want to ensure that all the residents are content and I will discuss this matter with my chief executive and planning chairman on whether or not a deferment would be helpful."