OPPONENTS of a controversial plan for a care home for troubled or troublesome boys hope it will be thrown out at Blackpool Council next week.

The proposal, to convert a detached house in St Annes Road, provoked an 850-name petition and 200 letters of objection when it came before the regeneration and development committee last month.

With the committee almost evenly divided and the council's planning officers recommending approval, a final decision will be made by the full council next Wednesday (July 14) when Tory group leader Peter Callow hopes members of the ruling Labour group will support his amendment calling for rejection.

Though the home would accommodate only six boys aged 11 to 16 - judged by social services not to pose a risk to the public - some may be awaiting a court appearance and others beyond parental control.

Residents fear they could abscond and disrupt the neighbourhood even though the applicant, the Northern Care Group, says the youths would be constantly supervised.

Coun Callow said: "This is a prime residential area and not the right place for this type of development. Residents are apprehensive and justifiably so."

His amendment calls for refusal on the grounds that it conflicts with the Blackpool Local Plan which states residents should reasonably expect to enjoy living conditions unimpaired by fear of crime and noise.

But social services say the facility is needed, they have confidence in the Northern Care Group and the police crime prevention officer expressed no concern when he was consulted.

Council planning officers say the scheme is sufficiently modest not to make an impact on the area.

Labour group leader Coun Ivan Taylor said there would be no whip on his members to vote on party-lines. "All we ask is that members consider the matter properly in accordance with the planning objectives."

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