VILLAGERS living in Low-er Broadheath, near Wor-cester, have hit out at a plan to house adults, who have learning difficulties, in their community.

The proposal is to convert a bungalow in Martley Road, into a facility that offers 24-hour care for young adults from around Worcestershire.

Some residents are concerned that the village is not a suitable place for the facility. Geoffrey Venables, who lives opposite the site, said: "These people suffer from a whole range of problems such as behavioural problems. There are no suitable facilities for them.

"It is inappropriate for a small village this to house such a facility."

Another villager, Derrick Davies, aged 72, agreed. "We have got a pub and a post office and a village hall. But what services are there here for them? What benefit to the village would it bring?" Other concerns include the possible en-largement of the site, that there is no pavement outside the bungalow, also no street lighting, poor parking, and that it is off the busy Martley Road.

The applicant, Glouc-estershire-based Kentwood Ltd, a privately owned support services company that provides support and care for people who are unable to wholly look after themselves, said that while the planning application puts the proposal into the category of allowing 10 people, only five will actually live at the site.

Karen Hall, group care director from Kentwood, said: "Worcestershire social services asked us to provide a service in county for young people with learning disabilities. "It is for five young adults aged 18 to 25."

She added that Kentwood has been in touch with Lower Broadheath Parish Council to arrange a meeting. "We do understand that the local residents have some concerns. We have offered to meet with them in an open resident's meeting. A lot of the time it is down to people always expecting the worst."

Barbara Beard, the parish council chairman, said the application for the scheme was discussed on Monday, April 24, at a parish sub-committee meeting.

"We decided that we needed further information from Malvern Hills District Council and the applicant before making a recommendation," she said.