PLANS to turn a farmhouse into a children's home have provoked a flood of objections from residents who fear it could be used to house violent or abusive youngsters.

Under the proposals, Prospect Farm on the edge of Northallerton would be used as a home for children in the care of local authorities.

They would be looked after by a rota of professional staff and would attend mainstream school, with their free time occupied by organised activities.

Applicants Mark Bradley, Eric Lambert and Trevor Myers have more than three decades of social care experience between them. They said entry requirements would be strict.

Mr Bradley said: "There are some children who need to come into care, but cannot cope with a regular family because of their own experiences."

He said the children would be referred by local authorities, but the home would not accept ones on remand, those who had committed sexual offences, or were involved with drugs or criminal activities.

"As a private home, we would have control over who lived here," he said. "And if a resident behaved inappropriately, they would be sent elsewhere."

Residents have voiced fears that the children would cause vandalism problems in the town or fight with local children.

But Mr Bradley said the children's problems would be mainly emotional, rather than violent.

Concerns have also been raised that the applicants would increase the number of children if the home proved a success.

Mr Myers said: "I guarantee the numbers will not increase. In our experience that is not a good idea.

"We may look to develop homes elsewhere, but we will not expand this project."

Hambleton District Council's head of development control Maurice Cann has assured residents that restrictions on expanding the home would be built into any planning permission.

Planning officers had recommended that the proposals be granted permission, saying that they would not have a harmful effect on the appearance of the area, or the amenities of people living nearby.

But councillors have voted to defer a decision on the plans so that a site visit can be carried out.