Residents fear peace and quiet will be shattered by reopening of children's care home
RESIDENTS in Orpington whose lives were made miserable by a children's care home believe it will reopen at the end of this month.
The five-bed care home in Chislehurst Road, Orpington was run by childcare provider Five Rivers for six years, but owned by Bromley Council, before it closed last summer.
People living in the same road say they were plagued by constant anti-social behaviour when the home was open.
The home provided residential care for 12 to 16-year-olds.
Neighbours believe the property, which has since been empty, has been bought by Five Rivers and will reopen.
Ian McDonald, who last Christmas organised a petition of 35 signatures opposing its sale, says he has spoken to a decorator at the home who told him it would be reopening at the end of this month. (MAY)
The 59-year-old former BT buildings manager says problems were caused by people the youngsters in the home attracted.
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He said: "We will have our peace shattered once again.
"We used to have missiles thrown at our houses.
"People's gardens were vandalised.
"There was shouting and screaming late at night."
He added: "Since the home closed it's been really quiet and pleasant - the life you expect in a residential area."
Cliff Howard, who lives in Chislehurst Road, says life had been peaceful without the care home but was a nightmare when it was open.
The 61-year-old who used to work in stationery said: "It was an absolute pain.
"The biggest complaint was kids congregating in our drive.
"At 2am in the morning this was not funny.
"There would be at least half a dozen of them.
"I was scared of confronting them."
A Bromley police spokesman said: "Bromley police have been made aware of the concerns of residents and the local safer neighbourhood team will be working to alleviate these concerns and tackle any anti-social behaviour in the area."
Residents are encouraged to contact the Cray Valley East Safer Neighbourhood Team and report any anti-social behaviour on 020 8721 2611 or 07880788942.
Shame on you.
Why shouldn't these poor children enjoy the peace and quiet of suberbia. They have propably spent their short lives in the noisey overcrowded inner cities.
Shame on you.
Why shouldn't these poor children enjoy the peace and quiet of suberbia. They have propably spent their short lives in the noisey overcrowded inner cities.
[quote][bold]bg[/bold] wrote:
Shame on you. Why shouldn't these poor children enjoy the peace and quiet of suberbia. They have propably spent their short lives in the noisey overcrowded inner cities.[/quote] Do you want them to live next door to you? Thought Not.
bg wrote:
Shame on you. Why shouldn't these poor children enjoy the peace and quiet of suberbia. They have propably spent their short lives in the noisey overcrowded inner cities.
Do you want them to live next door to you? Thought Not.
Posted by: Osem, Orpington on 2:33pm Mon 12 May 08
Well I must admit I was wondering why the graffiti and mindless vandalism in the immediate area had suddenly stopped. It'll be interesting to see if it all starts up again when the home reopens.
As for the police and council taking action in the event of any anti-social behaviour, anyone who lives in the area knows they will do nothing as usual. The police presence in Orpington (especially at weekends) is a bad joke.
I really have no problem with the home being used for this purpose providing the residents behave like decent human beings. Let's hope that they do just that and prove the long suffering neighbours wrong.
Well I must admit I was wondering why the graffiti and mindless vandalism in the immediate area had suddenly stopped. It'll be interesting to see if it all starts up again when the home reopens.
As for the police and council taking action in the event of any anti-social behaviour, anyone who lives in the area knows they will do nothing as usual. The police presence in Orpington (especially at weekends) is a bad joke.
I really have no problem with the home being used for this purpose providing the residents behave like decent human beings. Let's hope that they do just that and prove the long suffering neighbours wrong.
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