Specialist police architects have been drafted in to design security measures for a controversial new children's home in Stafford.

Dozens of families objected to Staffordshire County Council's proposals to build the home on land at Brunswick Terrace when outline planning permission was granted last year.

They claimed they would be plagued by anti-social behaviour and feared vulnerable youngsters would be placed in the facility, which is aimed at plugging a gap in children's home provision in Stafford.

There is currently no residential facility for children in the town, meaning youngsters not placed with foster families face having to move miles away to homes in Cannock, Burton or Newcastle.

But following lengthy consultation with residents, planners have drafted in police architectural liaison officers in a bid to reassure people nearby that the home will not pose a risk to their safety.

A supporting document submitted to Stafford Borough Council as part of the full planning application states: "The home will have secure external lighting systems that will provide security for the site. A full comprehensive CCTV system will operate at the site.

"The home's design has been the subject of widespread consultation with the local community. Various groups have been involved in the design and layout of the home and in particular the method of securing the site to help ensure that the home has minimal impact in its local setting. The home has also been designed in conjunction with advice given by police architectural liaison officers."

County council chiefs have promised the home, which will be funded by the Government's Private Finance Initiative (PFI), will not house young offenders.

County councillor Michael Poulter, who represents Stafford West Gate, said: "There is an essential need for the development of a children's home in Stafford and Brunswick Terrace is the best available site."

Residents at the six-bed unit will have an age range of between 10 and 18 years, although the vast majority will probably be between 12 and 16 years old.

The county council hopes planning permission will be granted by January next year.