Protestors marched to the council's offices

Mr Pollock said the decision was now a mandate for any small group of protesters to set themselves up as "self-appointed planners and guardians of society and focus on the exclusion of any minority group they dislike"

Last month people living near the prison in Bridgend marched through the town in protest at the plans.

The hostel was to have been a halfway house for offenders eligible for early release under the Government's electronic tagging scheme.

But residents in nearby Coity feared prisoners convicted of sex crimes would be free to come and go as they please.

The hostel was to have provided accomodation for offenders after they have completed their prison sentence or if they are taking part in the early release electronic tagging scheme.

Movements

At a recent public meeting probation officers and prison staff failed to reassure local people.

Residents feared sex offenders could be among the people who would use the hostel, and their movements in and out of the grounds would not be controlled.

The controversy has once again highlighted the question of how society copes with sex offenders who have served their time in prison.

Management at Parc had said they supported the Home Office plans