A RURAL Herefordshire property will be used as a care home for children, despite numerous objections from fearful residents and a concerned parish council.

At a southern area planning meeting, a majority of councillors agreed for Solutions Ltd to house the three 10 to 16-year-olds at Fairview in Foy.

Speaking in favour of the proposal was David Massey, who said: "This will be a normal family home for normal children, who will do their homework and live normal lives, constantly under the supervision of one member of staff."

However, Councillor John Edwards said the parish council's fears were genuine, even though there would only be three children moving to the hamlet.

"The people of Foy have had a hard time of late and they should not have to put up with these children, who are going to be a nuisance," he said.

"These children are like fishes out of water, coming out from the inner cities without understanding the ways of the countryside."

Chairing the meeting, Councillor Ruth Lincoln helped allay some of the residents' fears by citing another Solutions home in Goodrich.

"I remember before that application was passed, there was a lot of concern in the villages," she said.

"But the children are absolutely fine, and now many of the nearby residents have welcomed them into the community."