Fears over firm's bid for children's home

Residents of a tiny village fear a children's care home could have "catastrophic implications".

- STUART GILLESPIE

CareTec are aiming to turn a house in Milton near Crocketford into a residential care home.

An application has been lodged with the council for a change of use of the house, with documents showing “it would become home to and provide residential services for four children”.

Locals claim there has been little notification of the proposals, which they believe have “a potentially significant impact on the village”.

One villager said: “It was felt that the application form from CareTec was structured in a way that down played the full extent of the change. The facility is presented as prioritising-ie not exclusively-young people aged six to 12 years with mental health challenges, learning disabilities and other vulnerabilities.