Rossendale villagers’ protest over sex offenders hostel plan

9:32am Monday 16th May 2011 in Edenfield

FLASHBACK Residents opposed to the plans in the playground last week FLASHBACK Residents opposed to the plans in the playground last week

HUNDREDS of residents took to the streets of a quiet village yesterday to protest against plans by a hostel to house paedophiles and sex offenders.

Organisers said about 500 people protested in Edenfield over the proposals by Chatterton Hey House.

Bosses at the hostel, which is just a few hundred yards from a children’s play area, want to extend their services to convicted sex offenders and ex-offenders with mental health, mobility and substance abuse issues.

The protest, organised by dad-of-two Matt Mead, ran from the park to Chatterton Hey and was attended by MP Jake Berry.

Mr Mead, 40, of Exchange Street, said: “We have heard about these centres before and people can get out of them.

"It is only about 500 yards away from a children’s playground so it is totally the wrong place.

“People in the village are angry and very upset.”

Mr Mead said an 800-signature petition had also been collected while over 1,600 people have joined a Facebook protest group.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry said: “It seems common sense not to use this location for such offenders, and the police and probation service have expressed reservations about the suitability of this building.”

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A meeting is planned on Wednesday between Chatterton Hey owner Langley House Trust, police and probation service, where a decision will be taken.

The Langley House Trust has said only people passing a ‘strict criteria’ would be allowed to live at Chatterton Hey.

Comments (5)

9:50am Mon 16 May 11

Lifeinthemix says...

This is the corporate stakeholder communities in action...you will suffer the paedophiles while they watch the park on cctv as well as in the schools and from your super plasma HD TV....its a voyeurs paradise and we are the actors.....
.
fight this all the way
This is the corporate stakeholder communities in action...you will suffer the paedophiles while they watch the park on cctv as well as in the schools and from your super plasma HD TV....its a voyeurs paradise and we are the actors..... . fight this all the way Lifeinthemix

10:36am Mon 16 May 11

The reallist says...

Keep these PAEDOPHILE in person, this these B*S@D~D shouldn't be left in the streets of Rossendale or any-other street in Great Britain.

It is only about 500 yards away from a children’s playground so it is totally the wrong place "Period"

PAEDOPHILES are & are the SCUM of the EARTH.

When they are let out CASTRATE THE B#S*T@DS FIRST
Keep these PAEDOPHILE in person, this these B*S@D~D shouldn't be left in the streets of Rossendale or any-other street in Great Britain. It is only about 500 yards away from a children’s playground so it is totally the wrong place "Period" PAEDOPHILES are & are the SCUM of the EARTH. When they are let out CASTRATE THE B#S*T@DS FIRST The reallist

10:38am Mon 16 May 11

The reallist says...

Before I get the Jokers commenting. Please not my last comment. first line should have read PRISON not PERSON
Before I get the Jokers commenting. Please not my last comment. first line should have read PRISON not PERSON The reallist

10:43am Mon 16 May 11

The reallist says...

not, Not but NOTE
Its Monday, nothing goes right on a Monday.
not, Not but NOTE Its Monday, nothing goes right on a Monday. The reallist

3:52pm Mon 16 May 11

hello986 says...

im a resident in the area and attented the protest - extremely proud of all the support thus far. The local and to a greater effect communities as a whole have a lot of questions about the criteria of offenders being accepted, how they are monitired and what % re offend there is so much communities dont know. But lets be clear the positioning of where Chatterton Hey is and proximatey to schools and playgrounds is an unnaceptable risk the community are prepared to accept which is why im firmly behind the NO vote to this expansion. I / we do not want to pay the price with our children should the authorities and the Langley trust get it wrong! peacful and positive action required. This is not just an Edenfield concen its a concern to all communities UK wide that have to live with decisions being made by people outside of the community who dont have to live with the decisions they make.
im a resident in the area and attented the protest - extremely proud of all the support thus far. The local and to a greater effect communities as a whole have a lot of questions about the criteria of offenders being accepted, how they are monitired and what % re offend there is so much communities dont know. But lets be clear the positioning of where Chatterton Hey is and proximatey to schools and playgrounds is an unnaceptable risk the community are prepared to accept which is why im firmly behind the NO vote to this expansion. I / we do not want to pay the price with our children should the authorities and the Langley trust get it wrong! peacful and positive action required. This is not just an Edenfield concen its a concern to all communities UK wide that have to live with decisions being made by people outside of the community who dont have to live with the decisions they make. hello986

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