Neighbours have voiced fear over plans for a home for young people with mental health problems.

In 2012 the house on Bushey Hall Road was allowed to change usage from an elderly care home to a ‘care home for people in need of care’.

In November, care home operator Nouvita asked Hertsmere Borough Council' for permission to give the house hospital status for those with mental health problems.

But nearby residents have warned the site is not suitable for a use with many vehicles coming and going. According to campaigners, the government parking standards for hospitals says there must be a space for ambulances and service lorries.

Ian Shermer, 54, chairman of the Grove Hall and Ashlyn Residents Association, said: “We are not against the hospital but it is simply in the wrong place.

"The building only has three car parking spaces with no room to turn meaning that cars will be reversing out onto Bushey Hall Road on a blind bend."

Residents also say the information in the supporting documents do not make clear who will be in the hospital.

Nouvita has already begun advertising the home as a child and adolescent service for young people aged from 10 to 18.

However according to the supporting statement from submitted by the agent Trevor Harrison it says that the ‘age group is from minors up to the elderly’.

“There are no figures or guarantees and it is my concern that if given hospital status it will be used by young anorexic people who are a danger to themselves but for some other undisclosed purpose.”

Carol Hunt, 53, of Ashlyn Close, said: “Sometimes I feel like moving away. It’s just not the right place for it. There isn’t any space for cars to park.”

Former councillor Leslie Winters concurredis also backing the neighbours and said: “I back the local residents. It is totally out of place and it will only cause severe damage to parking and it will increase anti-social behaviour.”

According to Hertsmere Borough Council, the use of the building must be in accordance with the submitted application in 2012 allowing it to be for people in need of care and for no other purpose.

Hertsmere Borough Council spokesman Cath Shepherd said: “In relation to the advertisements made by the applicants, this is out of the control of the council and anything that the applicants do before any permission is granted is at their own risk.”

Nouvita director Lance Adams said: "We are going to be operating a very small therapeutic in patient hospital to treat young people between 10 and 18.

"They will be referred to us by the NHS as they are suffering from mental health problems and we will provide the kind of intervention and treatment for problems such as eating disorders that will alleviate their condition.

"It would be normal for them to remain for a short period of two months and some will go home at weekends."