RESIDENTS and councillors have expressed their fears over proposals by controversial security firm G4S to set up a children's home in Alvaston.
G4S Children's Services, a branch of the company which was slammed for its handling of security at the London Olympics in 2012, has proposed to convert a residential home in Shardlow Road.
If plans go ahead, the home would cater for up to five "children in care" aged between 10 and 17.
But residents say they are unhappy about the plans and are now getting together a petition to fight the panning application.
Alvaston resident Arron Marsden, 34, said: "The people I have spoken to are really worried about the future and we will fight this application.
"This is a residential area and the home would be opposite a pub.
"G4S does not have the best reputation at delivering public services and this is a concern that we all have."
In a planning application to Derby City Council, G4S said the aim was to "provide a comfortable, non-institutionalised environment" in which the children could live.
The company said the children would be mixed sexes and would be from Derby and surrounding areas.
It also said that the cost of each child would be paid by the "local authority responsible for the child".
The company has said the bedtimes of the young people would be staggered dependingt on their age, although all children would be expected to be settled in their rooms by 10pm.
A spokesman for G4S said Alvaston had been chosen because the firm was "on a framework to provide residential homes in the East Midlands". He added: "Regulations have changed to encourage local authorities to ensure children are placed as close to home as possible and in safe areas, so they can achieve good outcomes and improve their life chances.
"All homes are inspected by Ofsted twice a year to ensure standards are at the right level, which should give reassurance to local residents about the quality of care provided to children."
Alvaston councillor Paul Bayliss said he objected in the "strongest terms" to the plans. He said: "On checking with the city council and the Derby Safe Guarding Children Board, it is clear these bodies have not had any prior notification of this operator entering the market".
And Alvaston councillor Alan Graves said: "Is this the best location to house children with behavioural issues? There has been no consultation about this with residents."
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