05-05-2006, 04:32 PM
By Hazel Mollison
RESIDENTS and police say a home for children with learning and behavioural difficulties next to Brampton’s William Howard School could lead to a rise in crime.
The directors of North Lakes Children Services spoke about their plan to convert the former Kirby Moor Hotel, near Brampton, into the home at a parish meeting.
But residents voiced concerns that the home would be out of place in the small community, especially as it was next to a large comprehensive school.
The parish councillors are fighting the plan as they say it is an inappropriate location and fear it will lead to crime and disruption.
School governors and one neighbour have already written to object, although another neighbour has written in support of the plans.
Paul Jenkinson and Antony Middleton of North Lakes Children’s Services intend to run the home for 12 boys aged 11 to 16 from all over the country. They will employ up to 26 staff to teach the children and care for them 24 hours a day.
Mr Jenkinson said the home would be for children who struggled in a normal school environment, and could be on the autistic spectrum. Some of them would have been disruptive at school, and could have criminal records.
He said: “The type of children we are looking at could be from a run-down area. A lot of them have no relationship with their parents. They may have been physically or mentally abused.
“We are not here to take big problem children. We are here to make a difference and help them back into education.”
He said they had chosen the site because they wanted a “quiet, tranquil location with calming qualities. This area also has excellent facilities.”
But many of the 20 residents at the meeting were concerned.
Parish councillor Rob Grant said: “It does not need to be next to a major important school.
“If there’s interaction between them and it’s bad interaction, then it’s not good for them and it’s not good for the school.”
Community police officer Liz Turner said they had reservations that the home would be out of place in the small town.
She said: “We also have fears that they could be the sort of people who may cause criminal activity. Some of the children will come from Liverpool, Birmingham or Manchester and they won’t fit into this community.”
A planning decision is expected next month.
From newsandstar.co.uk
RESIDENTS and police say a home for children with learning and behavioural difficulties next to Brampton’s William Howard School could lead to a rise in crime.
The directors of North Lakes Children Services spoke about their plan to convert the former Kirby Moor Hotel, near Brampton, into the home at a parish meeting.
But residents voiced concerns that the home would be out of place in the small community, especially as it was next to a large comprehensive school.
The parish councillors are fighting the plan as they say it is an inappropriate location and fear it will lead to crime and disruption.
School governors and one neighbour have already written to object, although another neighbour has written in support of the plans.
Paul Jenkinson and Antony Middleton of North Lakes Children’s Services intend to run the home for 12 boys aged 11 to 16 from all over the country. They will employ up to 26 staff to teach the children and care for them 24 hours a day.
Mr Jenkinson said the home would be for children who struggled in a normal school environment, and could be on the autistic spectrum. Some of them would have been disruptive at school, and could have criminal records.
He said: “The type of children we are looking at could be from a run-down area. A lot of them have no relationship with their parents. They may have been physically or mentally abused.
“We are not here to take big problem children. We are here to make a difference and help them back into education.”
He said they had chosen the site because they wanted a “quiet, tranquil location with calming qualities. This area also has excellent facilities.”
But many of the 20 residents at the meeting were concerned.
Parish councillor Rob Grant said: “It does not need to be next to a major important school.
“If there’s interaction between them and it’s bad interaction, then it’s not good for them and it’s not good for the school.”
Community police officer Liz Turner said they had reservations that the home would be out of place in the small town.
She said: “We also have fears that they could be the sort of people who may cause criminal activity. Some of the children will come from Liverpool, Birmingham or Manchester and they won’t fit into this community.”
A planning decision is expected next month.
From newsandstar.co.uk