Sir, Re: Councillor Stratford’s arrogant response to Mr Moore’s letter, regarding the G4S children’s home at Banbury Road, Bicester.

There are many sustainable reasons why the home should not have been approved, coupled with the fact that G4S completely understated their application on many factors and even withheld the fact that the application was from G4S. Parking is a valid reason for non-approval but the councillors decided to believe G4S’s statement that there would only be eight vehicle movements per 24 hours.

This does not allow for social workers, educationalists, Ofsted inspectors, school runs and the home minibus. The front car park will only safely hold four vehicles. Anti-social behaviour is a valid reason for non-approval but the council ASB manager was not originally aware it was G4S and had no objections until I pointed out to him that there are many problems associated with other G4S homes.

He then stated the application “remains a source of concern” — this was ignored by the planning committee. I have personally visited the neighbours of the G4S home in Long Buckby and heard first-hand of all the associated anti-social behaviour. Colin Paine, area commander for Cherwell and West Oxfordshire Police, in an email to me, believed the home would be “a children’s residential care home for the county council to be run by G4S” yet OCC have stated that they do not have any agreement with G4S.

I would remind Cllrs Stratford and Pickford of the original job advertisement for staff at the home stated: ‘Your role will be to advise, care for, and provide stability for the young people and ensure they are treated fairly whilst promoting anti offending as an alternative to their previous lives’. Since June, all the residents surrounding the Magnolias have been opposing the application for a home for five youths with “emotional and behavioural difficulties”. Mysteriously on the day of the planning meeting this increased by 20 per cent to six youths. T

he new building plans show six bedrooms, one office, and one sitting room. Since the proposal states that a member of staff will be sleeping on the premises and each child must have a separate room, I wonder where that leaves the member of staff. I agree with Cllr Stratford that councillors are elected to try to serve all members of the community they represent, unfortunately G4S are not part of this community and the children will probably come from all over the country. Cllr Stratford, you say that you try to help those without a vote, by doing so you have seriously failed your electorate in the Taylor Close area. Cllr Stratford I would ask you, can you truthfully say that you would be happy to have this G4S children’s home in Queens Court.

Roger Gledhill, Taylor Close, Bicester