A NEW children’s home has been granted for a ‘desirable’ residential area of Kendal – despite strong objections that it will become a ‘magnet’ for trouble.

Applicants Cumbria County Council got the nod from its planning committee today to convert a large detached family home at Oak Tree Road, into a six-bed facility for children in care.

The Band E property, on a quiet cul-de-sac, will provide ‘temporary to medium and long term’ accommodation for four ‘looked after’ children aged eight to 17.

Two staff will provide 24-hour on-site supervision but an objector said the facility would disrupt life on the street and prove a drain on police resources.

They claimed children would be ‘difficult to care for, cause noise and disruption, and pose risks to residents and young people,’ the meeting heard.