New children's home policy adopted by Blackpool Council

It is hoped the guidance will bring clarity to developers after recent planning applications for children’s homes prompted a flurry of objections from residents.

Blackpool Council’s policy now states children’s homes must not open within 400m of each other, but they can be within 400m of semi-independent support facilities which are ‘materially different’.

The latter is support for children aged over 16 who are preparing for independent living and do not require the same level of care.

Head of planning Susan Parker told a meeting of the planning committee, which unanimously approved the new guidance: “We feel it is central to our endeavours to ensure firstly that local accommodation is available for local children and young people, and to try and stem the flow of vulnerable youngsters into the borough from outside.

“And secondly to ensure such uses are directed to appropriate areas and properties, and they are not allowed to be concentrated as such that they compromise the character and amenity of any area of the town.”

Planning chairman Coun David Owen said: “It is designed to assist our children’s department and the young people in our midst.

“We want to do the best for them and ensure the children in our care live in decent surroundings.”

Planners have had to deal with a number of applications in recent months for the conversion of former family homes into small children’s homes for between two and three youngsters.

The council believes smaller homes are a better environment for children in care, but residents have raised fears of the measure attracting anti-social behaviour to suburban neighbourhoods.

However the council says its new policies give it stronger control over children’s home operators, ensuring all premises are properly managed.