Children’s care home at 48 Dawlish Drive, Coventry

What was proposed

The application proposed changing a four-bedroom house into a children’s home for up to three children aged 10 to 17.

“Within the property it would involve 3 bedrooms being allocated for the children, and one bedroom converted to a sensory room and the garage/storage converted for a staff bedroom. The home would be staffed 24/7. There will be at least 2 members of staff present at any given time with a registered manager on site Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm this could mean 6 people in the property at one time generally.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The semi-detached house is in a residential area opposite open space, near shops, amenities and several bus routes.

“SITE DESCRIPTION The application site relates to a 4-bedroom semi-detached dwellinghouse located to the southeast side of Dawlish Drive, opposite an area of open space. This property and the houses along this road all generally have paved over front gardens for use a driveway.”

“The area is residential in nature with the nearest designated Local Centre at Baginton Road, half a mile away. There is also a row of shops just down the road on Dawlish Drive with several other amenities and facilities in this area. There are good transport links with a number of bus routes nearby including 17 and 17A, a 5-minute walk away with bus route No. 60 slightly further away and more routes available on Leamington Road 10-15minute walk away.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

The most recent relevant historic application allowed garage, bedroom and breakfast room extensions subject to conditions in 1983.

“PLANNING HISTORY There have been a number of historic planning applications on this site; the following are the most recent/relevant:”

“Application Number Description of Development Decision and Date S/1983/0213 Erection of garage, bedroom and breakfast room extensions Granted subject to conditions 29/04/1983”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the use was acceptable in principle and would not adversely affect neighbours’ amenity.

“RECOMMENDATION Planning committee are recommended to grant planning permission subject to conditions.”

“REASON FOR DECISION The proposal is acceptable in principle. The proposal will not adversely impact upon the amenity of neighbours. The proposal accords with Policies DE1, AC1, AC3, DS3, H5 and H8 of the Coventry Local Plan 2017, together with the aims of the NPPF.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The assessment considered the principle of development, residential amenity and highway matters, including parking and traffic.

“ISSUES AND ASSESSMENT The main issues in determining this application are principle of development, impact on residential amenity and highway considerations.”

“The National Planning Policy Framework, paragraph 11, states that “Plans and decisions should apply a presumption in favour of sustainable development. For Decision Making, this means: - c) approving development proposals that accord with an up-to-date development plan without delay; or d) where there are no relevant development plan policies, or the policies which are most important for determining the application are out-of-date, granting permission unless: (i.) the…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, Environmental Protection and West Midlands Police raised no objections, while 26 letters objected on noise, behaviour, traffic and parking grounds.

“Non-statutory No Objections received from: • Highways • Environmental Protection • West Midlands Police Neighbour consultation Immediate neighbours and local councillors have been notified; a site notice was posted on 15 th July 2025.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillor Sandhu and a petition spokesperson addressed the petition, two registered speakers objected, and the applicant supported the proposal.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to conditions.

“RESOLVED that planning permission be granted in respect of Application PL/2025/0001369/FUL subject to conditions.”

Minutes