Children's home at 10 Beechwood Avenue, Plymouth

What was proposed

The application sought to change a dwelling into a children’s home for up to three children, with staff and limited external changes.

“Proposal Description The proposal seeks the change of use of the property from that of a dwelling (Class C3) to a children's home (Class C2) to house up to 3no. children at a time. There would be at least 2no. staff members on site during the day - with at least 2no. at night. Limited external changes are proposed…”

Officer report

The site

The site is a terraced residential property in the Drake ward.

“Description of Site 10 Beechwood Avenue is a terraced residential property. The site falls within the Drake ward of the city.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier application to change the dwelling into a six-bed student house in multiple occupation was refused.

“Relevant Planning History 13/01032/FUL - Change of use from family dwelling to 6 bed house in multiple occupations for students (Refused).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended conditional approval, finding the proposal consistent with policy and national guidance and suitable as sustainable development.

“Conclusions and Reasons for Decision Officers have taken account of the NPPF and S38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and concluded that the proposal accords with policy and national guidance and is considered sustainable development - suitable for conditional approval.”

“Recommendation In respect of the application dated 01.06.2026 it is recommended to Grant Conditionally.”

Officer report

Officers’ main findings

Officers found no significant visual, amenity or highway impacts and considered the property suitable for the proposed occupation levels.

“Officers do not consider that the proposal would lead to any significant amenity impacts. Whilst a larger-scale C2 use may lead to such, due to higher occupancy levels and increased comings and goings, the occupancy levels proposed here would be typical of a residential property - so there is no evidence that there would be any significantly different amenity impacts compared to the existing situation.”

“Highway Impacts 8.6.1 The Highway Authority were consulted on the proposal and raised no objections to it. They considered that the property would currently have a parking demand of 3no. spaces.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The consultees raised no objections, while the Highway Authority recommended a cycle parking condition and the crime officer requested police safeguarding contact.

“Consultation Responses Highway Authority - Raised no objections but recommended a condition pertaining to cycle parking.”

“Designing Out Crime Officer - Raised no objections but requested that the applicant contact the relevant police department to discuss safeguarding matters.”

Officer report

Concerns raised

No public representation letters were received; concerns referred by a councillor involved whether the use had started and parking.

“Representations Whilst no letters of representation from the public were received, the Cllr's referral form raised some concerns. It was alleged that the proposed use had already commenced - but this has been confirmed by the applicant to not be the case, and Officers have no reason to believe that the use has commenced. Parking concerns were also raised, which will be discussed below.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning officer presented the report, and the applicant spoke to the application.

The decision

The committee granted the application conditionally, as set out in the officer report.

“Following discussions, the Committee agreed to grant the application conditionally, as set out in the report:”

Minutes

The main conditions

The permission required cycle storage, occupancy limits and operation in accordance with the approved management plan.

“Prior to the first occupation of the children's home hereby approved, cycle storage provision for 1no. bicycle shall be laid out within the site in accordance with details to be submitted to and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The secure area for storing bicycles shall thereafter be maintained in accordance with the approved details and remain available for its intended purpose in perpetuity and shall not be used for any other purpose.”

“The approved use of the property as a children's home shall be operated at all times in accordance with the approved Management Plan (submitted on 26th May 2026), unless a variation is previously agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.”

Officer report