A property in Thorntree is set to become a children’s care home after plans were approved.
Middlesbrough Council planning officers gave the change of use proposals the thumbs up in spite of a neighbour’s objection, which will see the East Middlesbrough property given a new purpose.
The two-storey, semi-detached dwellinghouse sits in a well-established residential area, according to council documents, with the applicant requesting permission to transform the property into a residential care home for young people, which would care for up to two children between the ages of seven and 18.
Children’s care home details
The application form details that the three-bedroom house, located on Eastwood Road, is proposed to have two full time members of staff working on site, when the transformation of the dwelling into a care home is complete.
However, council papers, which confirm that permission has been granted, clarified that the proposed facility would always have a member of staff on site. Two staff would cover the day shift (9am-9pm) and a minimum of one staff would cover the night shift (9pm-9am). As a result, staff will be on site all day, every day, to provide care.
The site description says: “The property consists of a living room and kitchen at ground floor level and three bedrooms and a bathroom at first floor level. Two of the existing bedrooms would provide bedrooms for the two children in care, while the third bedroom will be designated for staff use.”
Objections
Two objections were received as part of the neighbour consultation process. One of these discussed concerns that the children’s home may affect the character and appearance of the area. Another objector had wide ranging concerns including the potential noise output from the property.
This objector also discussed the experience of past tenants (in the property in question) kicking balls into their garden and breaking ornaments. “Trouble” in previous children’s homes in Thorntree was also raised as a concern. “I would not feel safe knowing that it would be easy to see if I was in and jump over my fence, as from the bedroom windows they could see into my property”, the objector highlighted.
Community impact statement
The community impact statement, advocating the proposal, said: “This local authority currently has a need for quality therapeutic provisions with staff trained and equipped to deal with children who have sadly experienced numerous placements moves.”
The statement added: “Consistent Care [the applicant] feel strongly that all children and young people deserve to live in a property which recreates a positive family atmosphere and can offer a great quality of life.
“Consistent Care feel that children living in residential children’s homes should not be disadvantaged by their circumstances, and instead, should have access to the same opportunities and experiences that other children have, and this includes participation in an active, safe, and opportunistic community.
“For this reason, the location of the home has been chosen in a residential area that has access to resources and services that will benefit the child and the home itself is indistinguishable from other homes in the area.”
Concluding remarks in the council’s delegated report sets out the view that the loss of one singular dwellinghouse won’t have a significant impact on the council’s housing delivery strategy. The intended use as a children’s care home is not expected to cause any “undue impacts” on the character and appearance of the area.
Approval was granted subject to five conditions, including a restriction on the use, meaning that the premises can only be used as a children’s care home. Another condition details that only one or two children can be accommodated on the site at any one time.
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