Planning officials are to re-publish proposals for a new residential centre for recovering addicts in St. George's after complaints that it had been described incorrectly.

Focus Counselling Services was forced to meet with Planning officials this week after members of the Committee of Concerned Residents (CCR) said the proposal had been described differently in The Royal Gazette official notice as to what they had believed the centre would be.

Lawyer for the residents Llewellyn Peniston said the neighbours had been told the Focus centre was to be a supportive residency for drug and alcohol addicts who had already gone through treatment.

However, what a Planning clerk had described the centre as in both the official notice, and letters to residents, was a `Hospice for Drug Rehabilitation'.

Either way, he said the residents were set against the plans and would prefer to see the old Cable & Wireless building on Barry Road transformed into an old folks' home instead.

The incorrect description of the Planning application came to light at a public meeting to discuss the controversial plans last Friday. Focus claimed what they had applied for had not altered, but said the planning clerk had probably just "boxed if off'' in that category.

However, in the interests of fairness, they all agreed that the notice would be run again this week, and it would merely say that the property was to be put to "social use''.

Sandy Butterfield, executive director of Focus, said: "We will do whatever we have to do and whatever it takes. Our description and application has not changed. It is only the category, the boxing off, that will change.'' But Mr. Peniston said the residents would continue to object because they did not believe the supportive residency, which could cater for up to 24 recovering drug addicts, was suitable for a residential area.

And they fear it will lead to an increase in crime and noise.

Mr. Peniston said: "It was pointed out (on Monday) that on its face, the complexion of the advert in the official Gazette and in the letters that were circulated to the objectors was not a true reflection of the category that Focus had agreed. It was not consistent.

"The conclusion was that Planning would have to re-advertise the whole of this application, using precisely the information they had on the application.

"But in the meantime, my instructions remain exactly the same. My clients oppose this.'' He said St. George's needed a senior citizens' home and this site would be ideal for that use.

Focus hope to have the new centre open next year. They have assured residents it will only be used as a supportive residency for men who have successfully completed a 90-day treatment programme.

The charity said people staying there will have to stay drug-free and they will be regularly drug-tested. They must also work or attend full-time courses, pay their way, and save some of their wages in preparation for when they leave and integrate back into society.

A Planning spokesman said the Planning Department had been taken a bit by surprise over the residents' complaint, but said they aimed to right the wrong as quickly as they could.

He added: "The objectors have taken this in the worst possible way and they have made their feelings known in no uncertain terms. The Department has agreed to re-advertise, then they will continue as normal.''