FRIGHTENED Lickey residents who fear sex offenders will be treated near their homes have stepped up a campaign to protect the community.

The newly-formed Lickey Community Group has called on Bromsgrove District Council to install CCTV near High Lea Nursing Home, in Old Birmingham Road, in light of a recently-granted change of use application which will see it turned into private psychology and counselling consulting rooms.

They fear the privately-run building, which is near Lickey Hills Primary School, is to be used for the assessment and counselling of sex offenders and have called on the police and Worcestershire County Council's social services department to monitor activity at the site.

Lickey Community Group secretary Gemma Weaving said: "We are particularly concerned for the safety and security of our community.

"We believe it is inappropriate for such a facility to be positioned outside a school.

"Were this an authority-run establishment we would not be quite so concerned, but as a private practice it is neither regulated nor monitored by any professional body or outside agency.

"It can operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week."

The group is also calling for a judicial review into the handling of the application by the district council.

Householders say the authority failed to investigate the implications of the change including traffic dangers, the environmental consequences of turning a garden into a 20-space car park and possible drainage problems.

Council corporate director and district secretary Bob Lewis said: "The council has determined this application for planning permission and no longer has jurisdiction."

The owner refused to comment or give his name.

Sgt Jerry Reakes-Williams, of Bromsgrove police, said any bid for a camera would have to go through the CCTV Partnership between Bromsgrove District Council and the force.

Leader of the Labour group on Bromsgrove District Council, Cllr Peter McDonald (Uffdown and Waseley), said: "After meeting Lickey residents it is clear they have very serious concerns that sex offenders could use the counselling service which has been given planning permission to operate directly opposite a school."