PLANS to house child sex offenders at a rehab centre in Edenfield have been scrapped.

But campaigners are less than overjoyed as proposals to house other sex offenders at Chatterton Hey House could still go ahead.

At a meeting on Wednesday between operator Langley House Trust, police and probation, plans to accommodate paedophiles was scrapped following public pressure.

The trust has issued the following statement: “At the meeting between the Langley House Trust, the local authority, police and probation it was agreed that Chatterton Hey is not going to be used as a residence for child sex offenders. All agencies recognised the valuable work that Chatterton Hey carry out and will continue to work in partnership to manage risk and protect the public. Langley House Trust have listened to the public, are in agreement with this decision and will now turn our attention to attempting to rebuild our hitherto positive relationship with the local community.

“We would like to thank local residents for the largely responsible and peaceful way in which their campaign against the proposals has been conducted.”

Although campaigners are pleased that child sex offenders will not reside at the centre, they are concerned that sex offenders will occupy the building, which is just a few hundred yards from a children’s playground.

Caron Beard, who is leading the campaign, said: “They said they won’t house child sex offenders there but sex offenders and ex-offenders are going ahead. The bosses have tried to reassure us that public protection is their priority but we are still campaigning.”

Chatterton Hey is a registered drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre which was housing people with a variety of needs, including ex-offenders, until October 2010.

Angry residents lined the streets last weekend to protest against a plan to house convicted sex offenders and former criminals with mobility, drug abuse and mental health issues at the centre.