PEOPLE are objecting to the proposed sale of a former community centre that they believe could house a school for children with behavioural and emotional difficulties.

They say the Grangetown Centre, the former home of a learning disability service, on the Bolckow Road Industrial Estate, would be more suitable for the school, rather than the proposed empty Alderman William Jones building in Grangetown, next to a primary school.

People living near the Alderman William Jones building are worried that teenagers with behavioural difficulties may play truant and cause anti-social behaviour problems in the area.

Parents, who are concerned that primary school children at neighbouring St Mary's RC Primary School may be wrongly influenced by the older children, have been collecting signatures for a petition against the proposed site.

They believe the Grangetown centre, home of a learning disability service for 28 years, which closed this week, would have made a better site for the school.

The centre's 90 users and 30 staff are to be moved to five community bases in the area, which centre manager Chris Horn believes will create a more flexible service and create better links with local communities.

But Grangetown councillor Peter Dunlop is sad to see the facility close and said he had hoped another use for the centre would be taken up by the education authority.

Labour opposition leader Councillor George Dunning said: "Rather than selling off the Grangetown Centre, and putting the school for children with emotional and behavioural problems at the Alderman William Jones site, wouldn't the council consider having the school at the Grangetown Centre?"

Concerned mother Sarah Appleton, whose two daughters attend St Mary's, said: "If they put the school next to the primary school I may move my children.

"The teenagers could be abusive and even aggressive. I'd be frightened for my kids."

The council has also proposed siting the school at Eston Lowfields Centre.

Dave Smith, assistant director of education for access and inclusion, said: "The informal consultation period has been extended and no decision has yet been made on where to site the school.

"We will also be considering any further sites that become available."