Major update on plans for new children's home in Carleton
“The intensification of staff movements to/from the property on a regular and basis would result in an unacceptable impact on neighbouring amenity.”
Plans to open a small children’s home in Carleton have been refused by Wyre planners.
The proposals were for a change of use to a children’s residential care home at 16 The Paddock, off Arundel Drive, catering for children aged between 8 and 17 years.
The property is an existing four-bedroom, detached residential house.
Although the planning agents argued that the scheme would not lead to an intensity of vehicle use on the residential street, the planning officer disagreed and refused the proposals for that reason.
A Planning Statement on behalf of applicants, stated: “The application has been prepared on behalf of Nova NW Ltd, a provider of specialist residential childcare, committed to delivering high-quality, trauma-informed care within small, family-style homes.
“The proposal will provide a small, high-quality residential care home accommodating a maximum of two children or young people, together with no more than two members of staff on site at any one time.
“The home will provide a safe, stable and nurturing family-style living environment for looked-after children who require residential care.
“Importantly, the proposal involves no extensions, alterations or physical changes to the existing dwelling.
“The submitted Existing and Proposed Plans demonstrate that the building will remain unchanged in terms of its layout, appearance and scale.
“The proposed use has been deliberately designed to operate as a domestic household, reflecting normal family living.
“The proposal therefore preserves the residential character of the surrounding area whilst delivering an important community benefit by providing much-needed accommodation for vulnerable children within Wyre Borough.”
The statement added that transport movements were modest in scale and comparable to many family households. No servicing vehicles or commercial deliveries were anticipated.
However, in refusing the scheme, the planning officer concluded in a delegated statement: “ The proposed change of use would result in an intensification of activity at the site by way of a high frequency of visits by staff, including staff changeovers, and an increased demand for car parking.
“The intensification of staff movements to/from the property on a regular and basis would result in an unacceptable impact on neighbouring amenity in terms of noise and disturbance.
“The intensification of vehicles associated with the proposal and inadequate parking within the site would result in an increase of on street parking which would result in harm to highway amenity.”