A charity providing support to people with mental health problems will find out whether it can move into a new Carlisle base this week.

Carlisle Eden Mind is hoping to move into a property on Spencer Street, which was formerly occupied by Cumbria CVS and other charitable organisations.

An application to change the use of the property from business use to a non-residential institution will be discussed by the city council's development control committee on Friday – and has been recommended for approval.

The Multi Agency Crisis Assessment Service (MACAS), North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the county's police and crime commissioner fully support the application.

Plans reveal that Carlisle Eden Mind is hoping to operate from the promises seven days a week between 9am and midnight.

A report, prepared for the committee, states that between 9am and 6pm the building would be used as office accommodation for a team of 12 to 14 charity staff. An average of eight staff and three volunteers would be present on any one day.

It would offer one-to-one counselling for clients during the day, averaging 10 to 15 people per day.

The report says that, between 6pm and midnight, the building would house two members of staff and two volunteers. The premises would be used to operate “Cumbria MindLine” - a telephone-based information, advice and emotional support service.

“An additional service intended to be provided by the applicant known as 'The Haven' would also operate during this period,” the report added.

“The aim is to provide counselling and emotional support on a one-to-one basis."

It looks likely to operate between 6pm and 11pm with about 10 to 12 people attending on an appointment-only basis.

However, residents have written to Carlisle City Council to voice concerns. Brian Oldham, who lives on nearby Chiswick Street, said: "If this home/centre/drop in is looking to reduce the time police spend on dealing with people in mental crisis, and stop so many admissions of people into hospital in 'acute' distress it can't come from here.

“Those things are worthy of police and hospital time - they're not safe or appropriate for us to have just a few metres away. They should stay with police and hospitals on designated and safe sites. ”

Beth Waters, a resident of Spencer Street, wrote: “I personally have seen myself and my housemates being made to feel unsafe and uncomfortable on our own street and in our homes due to the high number of services on the street , people parking to pick and drop off at all hours - and this is before opening a night time service right next door.”

The report said: “It is considered the benefits the proposed change of use would bring, in terms of providing a much-needed service for the people of Carlisle, clearly outweighs the objections, largely based on unsubstantiated fears."