Residents have lost their battle to get councillors to drop proposals for a new children's home in Thornton.

But after yesterday's meeting of Bradford Council's executive committee they pledged to step up their campaign.

The next stage will be a public meeting in Thornton community centre on Wednesday, June 18, at 7.30pm to draw up new battle lines.

About 30 people packed into the City Hall meeting where they told councillors a 500-name petition had been collected opposing plans to turn empty Sowden House into a home.

Officers drew up a shortlist from 50 sites for five new homes to be provided by the Council.

The top five after officer assessments were Owlet Centre, Shipley; Allerton Hall, Allerton Lane; Netherlands Square, Low Moor; Carr Lane, East Morton; and Sowden House, Thornton.

Moves have already been made to acquire properties. Officers told the committee terms had been agreed for Sowden House, subject to contract and a survey.

But Simon Blakeley, representing the residents, told the committee ten properties adjoining Sowden House had received no notification and villagers felt they had been presented with a "done deal".

He said Thornton was totally unsuitable for teenagers and young adults who would be accommodated in the home, because there were no leisure facilities.

GPs and the dentist were under constant pressure because of the size of the population and there was no police presence in Thornton. "Police response times are inadequate," said Mr Blakeley.

But in a heated debate which lasted for an hour and 20 minutes, Labour councillors said insufficient information about the 50 sites had been given and called unsuccessfully for more detailed information before a decision was made.

Councillor Dave Green, deputy Labour group leader, said: "This is being driven by technical services, rather than by social services.

"There has also been a financial consideration about the potential value of assets.

"The way this has been handled is disappointing. Children are going to be living in a local community which does not welcome them.

"Rumour will become innuendo which will take over from fact. There is a danger of demonising the children involved."

But executive member for the community - including Social Services - Councillor Kris Hopkins said: "We have a responsibility and it is about giving a supportive environment for children.

"It is about victims and not about prostitutes, drug dealers, criminals, and bad people. It is about children who have been let down by a variety of other people. One child was kept in an oven. We have here an opportunity to provide quality, caring, loving homes."

Deputy chairman, Councillor Simon Cooke, said work by the officers had been "responsible, sensible and exemplary".