A CONTROVERSIAL move to repurpose a building in the centre of a South Lakeland village to house young people in receipt of care has caused disquiet among residents.

The Witherslack Group, a special education provider, has bought The Cottage, on Main Street, Burton-in-Kendal, to house four young people, under the care of two adults.

However, some people in the village are opposed to the use of the building for this purpose due to its proximity to Burton Morewood Primary School.

At a parish council meeting, members of a vocal public forum raised concerns that the Witherslack Group had been ‘underhand’ in its lack of consultation with residents living in the area. Other concerns included the lack of a guarantee of security measures for the home.

Resident Paul Rossi, who used to work for Witherslack Group, said: “This seems like nimbyism but it isn’t. If we get four kids who are aged seven, eight or nine it’s okay but if they are 14, 15 or 16 years old, I have seen them in action and know what they are capable of.

“I have a lot of sympathy for these kids, and 99.9 per cent of them are great and just need somebody to look up to and get on with.

“We know they have got to live somewhere, but people are asking why they need to live in the centre when there are lots of properties on the outskirts where they won’t be a nuisance to anybody.

“It is the wrong place for it. It is right opposite the school and right next to the nursery. With the older kids it is a containment exercise; they might be absconding because they don’t want to be there, which older kids have done in the past.”

Jude Jones, a director of the Witherslack Group, said: “As a Cumbrian company, we are thrilled to be able to open another children’s home in the county, which will not only care for some of the most vulnerable young people but also offer a range of employment opportunities to the local area.”

“We are in the process of liaising with local residents to ensure that they are fully informed and have the opportunity to ask any questions.

“I have no doubt that the new home will become one of the leading provisions of its type across the UK, offering the best possible care and therapeutic support. Most importantly though, it will provide a wonderful opportunity for the young people to find inspiration and build positive futures for themselves.”

The Witherslack Group operates schools, children’s homes and integrated children’s homes and learning centre facilities across the UK.