Children’s care home at 70 Adelaide Grove, East Cowes

What was proposed

The application sought to change a five-bedroom dwelling into a children’s care home for up to four children, with staff present around the clock.

“Full planning permission is sought for the change of use of the dwellinghouse to a children's care home falling within Use Class C2. The proposal is intended to accommodate up to four children aged between 10 to 18 years and would operate with staff on a 24-hour basis. No changes are proposed to the exterior of the house. Internal changes would be limited to an attic bedroom being used as an office.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The property is an end-terraced home in a residential street, with a rear garden, no off-street parking and an earlier unimplemented flats permission.

“The application site, 70 Adelaide Grove, is an end-terraced five-bedroom dwelling located within a predominantly residential area of East Cowes. Due to changes in land levels, the house comprises three storeys but appears as a two- storey house from the streetscene. It comprises a lower ground floor, ground floor and first floor, with an attic room above.”

“P/01507/04 - Demolition of rear single storey extension & conservatory; construction of rear extension & conversion of dwelling to form 2 flats – Granted planning permission 12 th October 2004. The permission was not implemented.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended conditional permission, subject to a management plan, a maximum of four children and a restriction on the use.

“Changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) • Principle of the development • Impact on the character of the area • Impact on neighbouring properties • Amenity of future occupiers • Highway and parking considerations • Other matters…”

“Conditional permission subject to planning conditions covering the following matters: • Management plan • Limit on the number of occupants of the property • Use restriction…”

Officer report

Officers’ main findings

Officers considered the location sustainable, the social-care need substantial, and the effects on the area, neighbours, future occupiers and highways acceptable with conditions.

“In locational terms, the site lies within the development boundary of East Cowes, where Policy SP1 directs development towards sustainable settlements. The care home would be in easy walking distance of East Cowes town centre, schools and recreation grounds, as well as nearby shops and supermarkets, making the location sustainable for future occupation as a children’s care home. The site is also within walking distance of local bus stops.”

“As such, the principle of providing children's residential accommodation is supported in policy terms and can contribute towards meeting an identified social care need on the Island in which there is an identified shortage of places for children as confirmed by the supporting statements and comment from Children’s Services.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Environmental Health found no unacceptable amenity harm, Island Roads withdrew its objection after more information, and Children’s Services identified a shortage of care homes.

“Environmental Health have advised that whilst the proposal could generate some additional activity compared with a traditional dwellinghouse, they do not anticipate unacceptable harm to neighbouring amenity and note that any future noise complaints could be investigated through standard procedures.”

“The Service Manager for Social Services has advised that there is a significant local, regional and national shortage of both foster care homes and high-quality Ofsted-registered children’s residential care homes. There is a need for an increased local provision. As such, the proposal would meet an identified and agreed local need.”

Officer report

What people objected to

The town council and 28 public representations raised concerns about parking, traffic, noise, privacy, fire safety, safeguarding, waste and the site’s suitability.

“Existing on-street parking is already under significant pressure. • Staff shift changes, visitors and professional agencies would increase parking demand. • Increased vehicle movements and potential highway safety impacts. • Additional noise and disturbance from a 24-hour staffed operation. • Impact on neighbouring residential amenity and quiet enjoyment.”

“Concerns regarding safeguarding and the suitability of the location for vulnerable children. • Fire safety concerns. • Concerns regarding waste management arrangements. • Impact on the residential character of the area. • Reference to the Local Highway Authority objection.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

The minutes record a representative for East Cowes Town Council and the agent as public participants.

What members discussed

Members focused on parking and health-and-safety compliance, heard that safety matters were controlled separately, and noted that Island Roads had withdrawn its objection.

“70 Adelaide Grove, East Cowes Isle of Wight PO32 6DD Site Visits: The site visit was carried out on Friday, 4 September 2026 Public Participants: [name withheld] – on behalf of East Cowes Town Council [name withheld] - Agent Additional Representations: Environmental Health had reviewed the draft management plan and confirmed their comments since the report had been published, they requested strengthening of the plan to include an incident/concerns log and an annual review of the…”

“It was noted that when the application was called in by the Local Member, Island Road’s had raised objections, however since that decision had been made additional information had been submitted and Island Roads withdrew their objections.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee agreed with the report’s recommendation and resolved that the application be approved.

“The Committee had taken into consideration and agreed with the reasons for the recommendation as set out under the paragraph entitled Justification for Recommendation of the report and resolved:”

Minutes

The final decision

The application was approved, with the committee amending the management-plan condition to require a complaints and incident log and annual review.

“Amended Conditions: 3. Prior to the first use of the children's home hereby approved, a detailed Management Plan based on the principles of the Draft Management Plan, shall be submitted to and agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.”

“Following the discharge of this condition, an updated Management Plan shall be submitted every 12 months for review. This practice shall remain in perpetuity unless agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall be undertaken in accordance with the agreed details and the complaints/incident log shall be provided to the Local Planning Authority on written request.”

Minutes

The key conditions

The permission limits the home to four children, requires an agreed management plan and restricts the premises to a children’s home or dwellinghouse.

“Prior to the first use of the children's home hereby approved, a detailed Management Plan based on the principles of the Draft Management Plan, shall be submitted to and agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority.”

“The use of the children's care home hereby permitted shall be limited to a maximum of four (4) children's care residents and the number of staff to be confirmed via condition 3 of this planning permission.”

Officer report