A CHARITY organisation that runs a community for people with learning disabilities has defended its stance on maintaining its current level of vulnerable residents.

Camphill Village Trust, which runs Botton village in Danby Dale, said the village does not have the appropriate level of care and support in place to accept more adults after it was reported that there were more than 30 spare places.

In recent years the number has fallen from 132 to 96 and protestors say the extra capacity needs to be made available to families desperate for their disabled children to join.

But CVT said a voluntary admissions restriction is in place at Botton, as agreed with North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC).

Chief executive of CVT Huw John said: “We are unable to admit any new beneficiaries at this time, while we work through an improvement plan within the community.

“The restrictions were put into place following concerns raised about Botton by NYCC and we are still in the process of working through these issues in conjunction with the local authority.”

Mr John added: “At this time, if we removed the ban, we believe that NYCC would impose its own restrictions and would still not place new people with us due to its ongoing concerns.

“We are working hard to ensure we rebuild trust between Botton and NYCC.”

The council has confirmed it had raised concerns and was working with the charity.