CONTROVERSIAL plans for a £20M secure mental health unit at Chelston, have been given the go ahead by Taunton Deane Borough Council planning committee.

Approval was given at an emotionally-charged meeting disrupted by a barrage of heckling from the public gallery.

Approval for the development, proposed by Somerfield Developments and Montpelier Estates, who want to build the psychiatric unit at Westpark26 business park to treat vulnerable people suffering from mental health problems in a 'village' complex covering about three acres, was conditional on satisfying the police on security issues.

See Wednesday's WWN for a full report.