Villagers in protest over charity team

Bill Chaytor, whose family have owned land in the village for centuries, wanted to open a centre for volunteers working at the Clow Beck children's farm during the summer.

He bought Clow Cottage to turn into a home for 12 volunteers who have offered to build straw huts for children to stay in when they visit the farm.

But when residents heard about Mr Chaytor's plans, they organised a public protest meeting.

More than 50 people attended the meeting to complain about the possibility of 12 strangers sharing a three-bedroom home in the village.

Nigel Coleman, who lives next to Clow Cottage, said: "Mr Chaytor has bought a residential home and decided he wants to turn it into a hostel for 12 people without any consideration for the villagers.

"Our main concern is that 12 strangers will be coming into our village.

"Mr Chaytor cannot guarantee how long these people will be here, or whether it will be the same group each summer or different people.

"They will be bringing cars, noise and nuisance into our village.

"We have nothing against the children's farm - the problem is having these volunteers living here.

"I moved here for peace and quiet. This is a close-knit village and 12 strangers will make a big impact on us."

The volunteers have offered to work on the farm to create the residential buildings out of straw coated with lime.

After the meeting, Mr Chaytor defended his decision to get volunteers to work at the farm, but announced he would no longer be trying to house them in the village.

He said: "These volunteers are good people. I have two coming from America and two from Eastern Block countries who are eager to get involved.

"Because of the great concern expressed at the meeting in Croft, we are abandoning the plan to house volunteers in Clow Cottage or in the village. I apologise for the worry caused to the residents."

Mr Chaytor said he would consider in the coming weeks where to house the volunteers.