Update on controversial Thornton children's home planning appeal after refusal by Wyre Council

A care provider has succeeded in an appeal after an application for a change of use from a private house to a small children’s home in Thornton home was refused by Wyre planners.

Aspirer Care’s appeal went to the Planning Inspectorate where an inspector decided that, contrary to the views of the councillors on the planning committee, the application was acceptable and the proposals should have been granted permission.

The planning officer dealing with the original Wyre application had considered that Aspirer’s proposals, for a small children’s home for no more than two children in a detached property on Myrtle Avenue on Thornton's Pheasants Wood estate, was acceptable in principle and should be approved.

But when the proposals went before Wyre’s planning committee on June 3 this year, councillors voted against it on the grounds that the intensification of staff and visitor movements on a regular and frequent basis would result in an unacceptable impact on neighbouring amenity.

It was also found that the 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.

The application had gone before the committee after Pheasants Wood ward member, Cllr Andrea Kay, called in it after more than 30 residents raised concerns about the traffic and parking impacts on the street.

However, inspector K Lancaster stated in the report: “The submitted plans show that off-street parking is capable of being provided for four vehicles.

“Based on the evidence before me, the number of cars is not likely to exceed 2-3 cars for the majority of the time.

“Furthermore, as a large, detached property, which could be occupied by a family with 2-3 cars, there is no substantive evidence to demonstrate that the parking requirements of the proposed development would be materially different from its occupation as a family dwelling.

“Therefore, based on the proposed level of use, there is also no substantive evidence that the parking arrangements proposed would be likely to contribute to existing on-street parking demand, or to any difficulties experienced by refuse collections or emergency vehicles.

“Consequently, subject to the imposition of a planning condition to require off-street parking to be provided in accordance with details provided, I am satisfied that the proposed development would not be harmful to highway safety with particular regard to the provision of off-street car parking.

“Thus, it would comply with Policy CDMP6, and the associated polices of the Framework which require, amongst other things, that appropriate provision is made for vehicular access, off-street servicing and parking.

“The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted for the change of use of dwelling (C3) to a children’s care home.”