A SECURITY firm hoping to convert a house into a children’s home has no deal in place with social services to run it, it has emerged.

G4S is seeking permission to change the use of Magnolia House, Banbury Road, Bicester, into a six-bedroom care home for five children aged 10 to 18.

Last night, G4S confirmed it was in the process of buying the house.

It comes as residents accused the firm of being “underhand” over the plans.

G4S submitted the application under the name of Simon Herbert. The plans say children in the care of Oxfordshire County Council will live at the care home.

Residents say they have not been consulted, and the scheme is the wrong place, will increase noise, and worsen traffic in an overcrowded street.

Roberta Little, of Taylor Close, said: “We know these children have got to be accommodated somewhere, but the key issue is the underhand methods G4S are using and have not made any efforts to consult us.”

Residents only learned of the plans after notices were put on lampposts.

The application, submitted to Cherwell District Council, said the home would be staffed 24/7 by 15 staff to provide children with “conventional family life”.

G4S said it would not house children in the Ministry of Justice system, but those in the local authority care system.

Council spokesman Owen Morton said the council did not have a contract with G4S, but did not rule out using it.

Mr Herbert, of G4S Children’s Services, said: “The application is in early stages and there is no contract in place with any local authority around this home.

“We chose to submit a proposal under my name to avoid alerting competitors. This was not a deliberate omission and we have always been upfront with the seller and local authority.” He said he was happy to hold talks with the residents.