THE owner of a controversial psychology building planned for Lickey has hit out at "bigots" living nearby who he said have been scaremongering about the facility.

Giles Bellamy, a clinical psychologist who is building consulting rooms called Tranquil House, on Birmingham Road, said rumours about sex offenders being treated there were completely false.

The consulting rooms are intended for people referred by their GPs for a range of common problems such as depression, anxiety or life adjustment following divorce or other stressful situations, he said.

The newly-formed Lickey Community Group opposes the moves and has expressed safety fears about visitors to the rooms.

Mr Bellamy said he was bound by guidelines from the British Psychology Society, which included ensuring the safety of children who would be seen at the rooms.

He said: "It would indeed be contrary to professional codes of practice and morally irresponsible for any predatory offenders to be seen at Tranquil House."

Residents had not taken up his offer to meet and learn about the real work that will be done in the consulting rooms, Mr Bellamy said.

He added: "I just hope that when we open people won't demonstrate their prejudices towards what are very common problems in the community."

Mr Bellamy was speaking to the Advertiser/Messenger after receiving the support of a leading member of Bromsgrove's health watchdog, Dave McGrath.

Vice-chairman of the Community Health Council, Mr McGrath said the Bromsgrove area has an 18-month waiting list for psychological services on the NHS, and the new facility would greatly benefit the community.

He said: "Coming from a mental health background, I have to say that the protests put us back to the beginning of the last century."