Children's home at 74 Woodside, Leigh-on-Sea

What was proposed

The application sought to change an existing dwelling into a children’s home for up to two children under 18, with adult carers and rear storage.

“Proposal: Change of use of existing dwellinghouse (Class C3) to a residential Children's Home (Class C2) to provide accommodation for up to two children under the age of 18 with supervision by adult carers, and provision of bin and cycle storage to rear Address: Woodside, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 4RB Applicant: [the applicant] of Novus Crest Ltd.”

“Planning permission is sought for a change use from a dwelling (Use Class C3) to a children’s/young person’s home (Use Class C2) to accommodate up to two children/young persons (CYP), aged under 18 years with 24-hour care/staffing (year-round) and with care provided by up two staff members on site.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site contains a detached dwelling in a residential area, with vegetation to the front and rear and Belfairs Park and woods adjoining the garden.

“The application site contains a detached dwellinghouse on the south-west side of Woodside. There is vegetation to the front and rear of the application site, including a hedgerow to the front boundary and a dense thicket of trees within the rear garden comprising varying species of varying height/significance.”

“The surrounding area is residential in character comprising a varied streetscene in terms of scale, form and architectural style such that there is no strong uniformity or distinctive characteristics in the immediate vicinity of the site. The rear of the site’s curtilage adjoins Belfairs Park and woods.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier application to demolish the residential building and construct two detached houses was granted.

“24/00549/FUL - Demolish existing residential building and construct 2no detached houses with private amenity space to the rear and car parking to the front, install new vehicular crossovers from Woodside – Granted.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A local resident spoke against the application and the applicant’s agent responded.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to conditions controlling the use, occupancy, storage, sustainability, noise management and parking.

“Resolved;- That PLANNING PERMISSION be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:”

“Reason: To ensure the provision of adequate waste, recycling and food waste storage and in the interest of visual amenity in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (2024), Core Strategy (2007) Policies KP2, CP3 and CP4, Development Management Document (2015) Policies DM1, DM3, DM8 and DM15, and the advice contained within the National Design Guide (2021), the Southend-on-Sea Design and Townscape Guide (2009) and the Southend-on-Sea Waste Storage, Collection…”

Minutes