C-Far wants to buy Burden Grange nursing home

The planned training centre will be a new home for C-Far, and will be used by young offenders aged between 18 and 24.

But villagers in Highampton fear their homes and property will be at risk.

The villagers asked West Devon councillors to delay a decision on planning permission to give them a one-month breathing space in order to put together a counter-bid.

They had raised �45,000 towards buying the building to keep it going as a community-run nursing home.

But West Devon Borough Council has given the permission for C-Far to carry out its plans.

Highampton resident John Eedy said: "They've not taken the feelings of people into account. And believe me, it's not a question of if the crime comes, it's when the crime comes."

Sandra Howell from the Save Our Village Action Group said of the plans: "We've been told they're persistent offenders. That leaves us feeling very vulnerable."

Village resistance

Trevor Philpott, the chief executive of C-Far, says he is sympathetic but he also says there is nothing to be worried about.

He said: "We can fully understand that, through fear and misunderstanding, there will be misapprehension, but the people of Highampton need not fear."

After the decision he said: "We really do have some serious hearts and minds problems here. And we've got to win over the local people. I know that's going to be very difficult because there is resistance there."

The nursing home's current owner has visited C-Far and says what they are doing is a worthwhile job and is well-organised.

Following the council's approval, C-Far hopes to be in its new home at the beginning of next year.