THE FUTURE of a children's home in Malvern remains undecided as a decision was postponed to give councillors more time to investigate the plans.

Worcestershire County Council has applied to build a replacement home for six children at 126 Barnards Green Road, Malvern.

Although the home has been on site since the 1970s, the building needs to be replaced because the regulations on minimum size rooms have changed.

However, resident Donald Poyner said the children's home should not be built on the existing site because it is between three residential homes.

"The building was originally for residents to look after the matrons. It is not a building for naughty children," said Mr Poyner.

"We have had enough of naughty children, we want a nice retirement in a residential area," he said at the meeting on Tuesday, June 18.

Councillor Margaret Wills said, at yesterday's meeting of the planning and regulatory committee, the children's home was established before the residential homes.

"Nobody wants to live next door to a children's home, but the use of a children's home in this particular site is well established," she said.

"Conditions are not as they were 30 years ago and children do not behave as they did 30 years ago. They are rather more liberated," said Councillor Peter Fallows.

A decision was deferred for a site visit and to receive more information from Worcestershire County Council's social services department.