NEIGHBOURS' objections to controversial plans to turn a remote farmhouse into a home for traumatised children look set to be overruled.

Councillors will meet tomorrow to decide whether to approve plans to turn isolated Far Brex Farm at Coal Pit Lane, Waterfoot, into a home to house six children.

And acting borough engineer John Cowpe's recommendation that they give the go-ahead to the home is sure to infuriate locals who have sent almost 20 letters of objection to the town hall.

Rochdale-based social worker Nick McFarlane plans to house up to six children in the farm which will be run by two or three staff on a rota basis.

He said: "Most of the young people will have suffered some trauma and the purpose of the unit is to provide therapeutic input to enable them to either return home or to their local area after a period of time."

Mr McFarlane's agent, Cath Ludlam, said that although the home would be his first such venture, he is an experienced social worker.

But residents fear the difficult to access farm, which is often cut off in the winter, is not suitable for the children and difficult for emergency services to reach.

And they are worried that two staff will not be sufficient to supervise six traumatised children.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson has also raised concerns about the plan with social services and Rossendale Borough Council.

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