PLANS have been submitted to build a treatment and therapy centre for a range of addictions in Cuddington.

The new facility will be built, if approved, on the former I-Map Centre, an independent autism school that has remained vacant since 2013.

The applicant is seeking permission to demolish the existing buildings, except for the gatehouse, and erect a building for use as a private residential treatment and therapy centre with associated landscaping, car parking and supporting infrastructure.

The supporting statement provided with the application, which was submitted by How Planning on behalf of The Bridge, says the facility will be the UK’s first purpose built treatment and therapy centre in the UK.

It says the centre, which will be called Beechfields, will set a ‘pioneering example’ for the future of care.

The facility will provide treatment and therapy on a wide range of addictions, ranging from food, depression, anxiety, alcohol, drugs, gambling, moods as well as stress and work burn out.

The statement says: “When addicts are rehabilitated, the effect are reversed as people become more productive, contributing members of society.

“The heavy financial cost to society can therefore be reduced through provisions of facilities like that proposed.”

It says that patients will be able to take part in a ‘full detox’ programme, voluntarily, at the facility.

The statement says: “Clients will come to stay at the proposed facility on a voluntary basis when they feel an aspect of their life is overpowering everything else.”

Treatment will range from acupuncture, yoga, dance and mood management.

Patients will stay at the centre between four to 21 weeks, which will cost in the region of £3,000 per week.

The statement says that because of the high cost, the ‘environment, atmosphere and culture needs to appeal to an affluent demographic’.

The scheme includes a cinema, gym and activity rooms for use by patients in the evening.

It says the design has been ‘thoughtfully designed’ to be ‘sympathetic’ to the rural setting.

The statement says the applicant chose the site after an ‘extensive’ search in the area over a number of months.

It says there is ‘no clear evidence’ to clearly demonstrate the need for this type of facility.

It says there are ‘major challenges’ surrounding existing treatment and facilities and there is a need for purpose built facilities.

However the statement acknowledges that there is ‘no clear evidence’ to clearly demonstrate the need for this type of facility.

Although it says there is a ‘clear’ need for a treatment centre in west Cheshire to treat alcohol abuse.

The statement said: “In summary, it is clear that there is a need for a resident care and treatment centre to treat addiction relating to alcohol, which is just one example of the type of addiction that facility will provide treatment for.

“Engaging in treatment will improve the health and wellbeing of Cheshire West residents as well as increasing overall life expectancy.”

The agent handling the application wrote to borough and parish councillors last month, and leaflets were posted to residents.

The application is currently awaiting decision.