Children’s care home at 2 Earlswood Road, Birches Head, Stoke-on-Trent

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission to turn a two-bedroom dwelling into a care home for one child, with a garage door alteration.

“Planning Committee – 18 th March 2026 72010/FUL Site Address: Earlswood Road, Birches Head, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 6UF , Proposal: Change of use from dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a care home for children (Use Class C2) together with elevational alteration to existing garage (retrospective) Applicant: Egret Care Ltd.”

“Description of the Application This applicatioin, which is retrospective, is for the change of use of an existing detached two bedroomed single storey residential dwelling (Use Class C3) to a residential care home (Use Class C2). The care home would provide accommodation for one child only between the ages of 8 and 17 years.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The site is a detached single-storey home in a suburban residential estate, and no planning history was recorded.

“Site and its surroundings The application site is a modern detached single storey residential dwelling located on the southern side of Earlswood Road at the junction with Widecombe Road. The vehicle access and driveway are off Earlswood Road and at this point the existing dwelling is screened from the highway by a mature hedge along the boundary with Earlswood…”

Officer report

The recommended decision

Approval was recommended because the proposal was considered acceptable against material planning considerations and planning policy.

“Given the above, each application needs to be considered on its own individual merits with regard to material planning considerations only and the use is considered, to be acceptable in residential amenity terms, and a refusal on residential amenity grounds could not be justified. Design The only external alterations required involve creating a single door into the front elevation of the existing garage which would be used for storage rather than the parking of vehicles.”

“Human Rights Act 1998 The proposals set out in this report are considered to be compatible with the Human Rights Act 1998 Equality Act 2010 It is acknowledged that age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.”

Officer report

Parking and residential amenity

The driveway was considered realistically able to accommodate two vehicles, while the care home was judged comparable to a family dwelling in amenity terms.

“The internal accommodation comprises two double bedrooms, lounge, kitchen, bathroom and a rear conservatory. One of the bedrooms would be occupied by the child whilst the second bedroom would be used by carers as sleeping accomodation and during the day as a staff office.”

“In terms of the proposed use, consideration needs to be given that the care home is for one child and two carers, which would be no different than a traditional family residential dwelling use comprising a family of two parents and one child whilst the rear garden would provide an acceptable level of external amenity space.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways, Staffordshire Police and public protection consultees raised no objections, while Children’s Services made no comment.

“Highways: No objection raised but full and unabridged comments can be seen by visiting the application website. Staffordshire Police No objection raised but full and unabridged comments can be seen by visiting the application website. Children's Services…”

“No comments received Public Protection (Environmental Health) No objections Public Protection (Contamination) No objections Public Protection (Air Quality) No objections…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Councillor Adrian Knapper spoke against the application as ward councillor, and the care home operator also addressed the committee.

The committee decision

The committee approved the application subject to the two conditions in the report and noted the agreed extension date of 20 March 2026.

“Planning Committee - Development Management Wednesday, 18 March 2026 3 Resolved – That the application be approved, subject to the conditions (1- 2) within the report submitted, noting the correct Extension of Time that has been agreed with the agent is the 20 March 2026.”

Minutes