Residents lose fight against plans to house sex offenders in Edenfield

6:00pm Saturday 8th October 2011 in Edenfield Photograph of the Author By Vanessa Cornall, Crime reporter

STREET MARCH Families protest against the planned centre for sex offenders in July this year STREET MARCH Families protest against the planned centre for sex offenders in July this year

RESIDENTS have lost their campaign to stop sex offenders from being housed in their quiet Rossendale village.

Rossendale MP Jake Berry and Coun Darryl Smith have received a letter from the Langley House Trust confirming that Chatterton Hey House, in Edenfield, will offer places to convicted sex offenders.

The rehabilitation hostel, located just 100 yards from a children’s play area and nursery in Exchange Street, already takes in ex-offenders suffering from alcohol and drug abuse.

Rossendale MP Jake Berry, who received notification of the decision yesterday, said: “I am deeply disappointed that Langley House Trust have ignored the local community voice.

"It is absolutely wrong to steamroll local residents into this deeply unpopular intrusion into the heart of our local community.”

Edenfield Coun Darryl Smith said: “This is a real slap in the face for local people. Jake and I have been working on this for months. This fight will go on and I will be working with the “Keep Edenfield Safe Campaign Group” to seek a solution.”

News of the decision comes just days after concerns were raised about hostel residents acting strangely in the village.

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Initially The Langley House Trust also wanted to offer places to paedophiles convicted of sexual offences against children.

But, following two protest marches, a petition and a lack of support from Lancashire Probation Trust and the police, the idea was scrapped.

Campaigner and local resident Matt Mead: “This decision is absolutely ridiculous. They have not taken into account the residents fears or views at all.

“We will doing everything we can to protect our families. I think another protest is on the cards.”

The independent trust does not need permission from the Probation Service or local police to implement its decision.

Nobody from the centre was available for comment yesterday.

Comments (6)

3:33am Sun 9 Oct 11

nice person says...

Rossendale MP Jake Berry, who received notification of the decision yesterday, said: “I am deeply disappointed that Langley House Trust have ignored the local community voice,,
.
It's all about the money the people will not have had any chance when money is the main priority.
.
Sex offenders are lifetime criminals,they never change and any child is at risk.They should be locked up for life not thrown on people in a community that chooses NOT to live amongst SCUM.This country is a disgrace to and let down to honest people!!!!!!!
Rossendale MP Jake Berry, who received notification of the decision yesterday, said: “I am deeply disappointed that Langley House Trust have ignored the local community voice,, . It's all about the money the people will not have had any chance when money is the main priority. . Sex offenders are lifetime criminals,they never change and any child is at risk.They should be locked up for life not thrown on people in a community that chooses NOT to live amongst SCUM.This country is a disgrace to and let down to honest people!!!!!!! nice person

7:41am Sun 9 Oct 11

Lancs Lassie says...

Scum like this should be thrown in a skip bin and left to rot
Scum like this should be thrown in a skip bin and left to rot Lancs Lassie

9:01am Sun 9 Oct 11

mavrick says...

The views and concerns of the affected residents count for nothing.
sadly this will blight the property values in the area so moving out will be difficult.
It has been said these type of people are lifetime criminals who can not be rehabilitated. perhaps a programme of selective extermination would be in order.
The views and concerns of the affected residents count for nothing. sadly this will blight the property values in the area so moving out will be difficult. It has been said these type of people are lifetime criminals who can not be rehabilitated. perhaps a programme of selective extermination would be in order. mavrick

2:13pm Sun 9 Oct 11

the halitosis kid says...

Lancs Lassie wrote:
Scum like this should be thrown in a skip bin and left to rot
they have to be exterminated first though..
[quote][p][bold]Lancs Lassie[/bold] wrote: Scum like this should be thrown in a skip bin and left to rot[/p][/quote]they have to be exterminated first though.. the halitosis kid

2:05am Tue 11 Oct 11

nice person says...

the halitosis kid wrote:
Lancs Lassie wrote:
Scum like this should be thrown in a skip bin and left to rot
they have to be exterminated first though..
And you will have to check to see if rossendale council will empty it....
[quote][p][bold]the halitosis kid[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Lancs Lassie[/bold] wrote: Scum like this should be thrown in a skip bin and left to rot[/p][/quote]they have to be exterminated first though..[/p][/quote]And you will have to check to see if rossendale council will empty it.... nice person

8:06am Tue 11 Oct 11

SydneyNSW says...

Is it any wonder Rossendale is going to the dogs when the local community do not have a say!
Here is another example of a lovely village that no one will want to live and bring there children up.....due to scum of the earth being located there.
Poor Edenfield!!
Is it any wonder Rossendale is going to the dogs when the local community do not have a say! Here is another example of a lovely village that no one will want to live and bring there children up.....due to scum of the earth being located there. Poor Edenfield!! SydneyNSW

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