A BOLTON charity is hoping to open a new round-the-clock rehabilitation unit.

Dignity In Life, based in All Souls, Astley Street has submitted plans to the council to change the use of a seven-bedroom house into a respite and rehabilitation centre.

The charity, which provides a range of care and support services, wants to change the use of a house in Chorley Old Road.

A statement submitted with the planning application said: “There is huge need for such facilities in Bolton and Dignity in Life are striving to help mentally ill individuals to become more independent with their daily living.

“The rehab facility is a unique approach to providing care with a view to enable the patients to integrate fully with society in the future.

“The applicants have a brilliant track record and have other such facilities in Bolton already.

“The huge demand for such facilities have resulted in the applicants looking for suitable properties such as this one.”

If approved the centre will operate like one approved in Bradford Avenue, Great Lever in September 2018.

The focus for the unit would be on young adults with drink and drug problems as well as low to medium-level mental health issues.

People would stay at the property for a time while being helped and supported with their needs, whether addiction or mental health, to be able to rejoin their community later.

As part of the application Dignity in Life is looking to add an additional bedroom to the house.

People being rehabilitated in the house would have “24-hour support from staff” say Dignity in Life to help them “become more independent in their daily living”.

The application to Bolton Council for the change of use stresses that “the programme is fully audited and health and safety checks are consistently undertaken”.

The application was submitted on December 14 by Siraaj Sidat and is due to be decided on by the council’s planning officers in the next few weeks.