The home could provide rehabilitation for up to 22 people

The Rhoserchan project currently based at Capel Seion, four miles north of Aberystwyth wants to buy Abermad nursing home, based three miles south of the seaside town.

The home is for sale because its owners, Donald and Jane Smyth want to retire.

The move will enable the project to increase the number of people attending its 12 week programme to 16.

It will also allow a detoxification unit for six people to be set up.

We will have to assess individual needs and some residents could go to residential homes rather than other nursing homes David Harris, social services

The sale of the home will mean that Ceredigion Council will have to find alternative homes for the Abermad residents.

Negotiations for the sale of Abermad can now begin after the local authority agreed to remove a planning condition which meant that the building could only be used as a home for the elderly.

Rehabilitate

"Now that the planning permission has been granted we can enter into proper negotiations to buy Abermad from Mr and Mrs Smyth," said Graham Menzies, Rhoserchan's programme co-ordinator.

"But if we do buy Abermad we certainly don't want to move in straightaway so that the current residents are thrown out," he added.

The Rhoserchan project, which has been based at Capel Seion since 1988 aims to take over the home by next January.

It currently has 12 places on a 12-week programme to rehabilitate people suffering from drug and alcohol problems.

The council will have to relocate the 25 Abermad residents

The responsibility for finding new accommodation for the 25 residents falls to the local authority's social services department.

David Harris, the council's head of adult services, admitted there is a lack of nursing homes in Ceredigion

"Despite this problem we will have to find places for residents," he added.

"We will have to assess individual needs and some residents could go to residential homes rather than other nursing homes.

"Others might want to move out of the area to be nearer relatives."

Professor Len Jones, who lives near the home, objected to the change of use.

His letter to the county council said: "I would like to express my disappointment and concern that the happiness and human rights of the current elderly residents are being jeoardised by the proposed scheme.

"Even though I recognise the need for a centre for those who misuse solutions, there is also a genuine need for homes for the elderly in the Aberystwyth area."

Carys Prytherch, Abermad nursing home's manager, said: "The owners, Donald and Jane Smyth, want to sell the home because Mr Smyth is 70 this year and they want to retire."