Care home could be like 'lockdown' for children

The applicant said children "deserve to be able to live in the safe and beautiful village"

Residents claim a village's elderly population could leave children at a proposed care home feeling like they were in "lockdown".

New Day Children's Services has applied for permission to provide accommodation for up to four young people at Temple Farm in Upton Scudamore, a village north of Warminster.

The applicant said the location would benefit the children but the parish council has objected to the plans and Wiltshire Council has received more than 50 representations expressing a range of concerns.

The plans are set to be debated on 9 October.

Upton Scudamore Parish Council has said children at the care home could be left feeling "isolated", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Concerns raised by residents included the potential impact on "the tranquillity of the village" and a possible "constant" changeover of staff.

New Day Children's Services said it would be looking after children with a history of trauma or abuse.

Three members of staff would be present during the day and two would sleep overnight.

It said: "Our children’s home will run like any other family home and we have significantly considered its location to the benefit of the children that will live here.

"We believe that our children deserve to be able to live in the safe and beautiful village of Upton Scudamore."