Agenda item

Full: Change from a C3 dwellinghouse to a C2 residential institution to operate as a children's home for one child aged 8 to 17.

Mr Adam Birkett Head of Planning and Transportation presented the report to the committee.

The application set out a change of use from a C3 dwelling house to a C2 residential institution to operate as a children’s home for one child aged 8 to 17.

16 Objections had been received from neighbouring residents which were summarised in the report.

A petition was also received bearing 45 signatures.

Lancashire County Councils Senior Commissioning Manager objected to the application, this is included in the report.

Lancashire County Council raised no objections.

Hyndburn Borough Councils Environmental Health Team raised no objections due to the fact that the home was for a singular child and therefore less likely to produce the same amount of noise.

The application was recommended for approval subject to the conditions listed in the report.

Members of the committee considered the similarities to the previous care home application on the agenda and found the proposals similar in both location and property type. Similar to the previous application members of the committee felt that the type of property and the location of the property was not suitable for a children’s home due to negative impacts on neighbouring residents and the risk posed by the road.

Resolved – Members voted against the officer recommendation and Refused the application due to:

1) the property’s changed character and intensity of use, specifically; the increased likelihood of noise and disturbance arising from the comings and goings of vehicles; intensified levels of activity including movement of staff and visits by healthcare practitioners/other support services, having an unacceptable impact on the residential amenity of neighbouring dwellings, and

2) the property’s location on a busy main road, resulting in an unacceptable risk to the resident(s) of the care home,

With delegated authority given to the Head of Planning and Transportation to finalise the wording of the reasons for refusal.

N.B 1. Zohel Ali – Spoke against the application.

·         Stated that the care home will significantly change the profile of the area.

·         As per the report there are already 4 children’s care homes under 1 mile away.

·         Noted that the backyard of the property is not secure as it backs on to a low fence to St Oswald’s School which could easily be scaled. Posing a risk to the child housed in the property and those part of the school.

·         Feels that the home is likely to increase anti-social behaviour or increase disturbances on what is a quiet street.

·         The road sees frequent accidents every year and this is a concern for residents with children. Additional care needed with a child who is not familiar with the area.  

       2. Councillor Munsif Dad BEM JP – Spoke against the application.

·         Agreed that the road sees quite a few serious accidents which the highways team haven’t considered in their feedback.

·         Noted that in his time as councillor for this area he had never seen so many signatures on a petition and feels this should be considered due to the volume of residents who are concerned.

·         Emphasised the committee’s responsibility to be consistent with decisions considering the previous applications refusal for similar reasons.

       3. Ahsan Ahrif – Spoke in favour of the application.

·         Stated that looked after young people are not violent nor will they be left unattended in the property.

·         Staff members are highly trained to handle any outbursts and make the environment as calm and as productive to the child’s development as they can.

·         All visits will be conducted off site to prevent additional stress on parking.

·         48hr shift rotation will minimise disruption as handovers will likely be during the day when roads are quieter.

·         The home will provide a space for 1 child and 2 staff members who will be with the child as they access the community and engage with local resources like schools and social spaces.