Children’s home and extensions at Havelock House, Conisbrough, Doncaster

What was proposed

The application sought a children’s home for up to four children, with two-storey and single-storey rear extensions adding a bedroom and internal space.

“Proposal Description: Change of Use from Dwellinghouse (Use Class C3a) to a children's home for 4 children or young people (Use Class C2) including erection of two storey and single storey rear extensions to add one additional bedroom (first floor) and increase internal amenity space (ground floor). At: Havelock House Common Road Conisbrough Doncaster DN12 2AQ”

“Proposal Description: This application seeks planning permission for the change of use from a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a children's residential home (Use Class C2) including the erection of a two storey and single storey rear extension. The provider of the care home has been identified as Blue Mountain Homes, who will be required to register with Ofsted.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is an isolated detached property in the Green Belt, with an industrial site nearby and no neighbouring domestic dwellings immediately adjoining it.

“Site and Surroundings: The site comprises of a two-storey detached property situated on Common Road. The property has a gravel driveway to the front and a good sized garden with further land to the rear. The rear garden is bounded by close by a mix of hedging and fencing and is secured from the front by a lockable gate. The property sits in isolation with no neighbouring domestic dwellings. There is an industrial site to the northern boundary.”

“Common Road which are both single dwellinghouses. The closest large scale residential development is the residential area of Conisbrough circa 450m to the north along Common Road. The site is allocated as Green Belt within the Doncaster Local Plan 2021. The proposal is located within Flood Zone 1 according to the Environment Agency’s Flood Risk Map and is therefore at low flood risk. Relevant Planning History 3.1 93/1359/P.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal was acceptable in the Green Belt and would not cause harmful amenity, crime, parking or highway impacts.

“The principle of the change of use from Class C3 residential to Class C2 Children's Care Home use is acceptable in this location and does not represent inappropriate development within the Green Belt. The extensions to the building to facilitate the use are not disproportionate and therefore do not constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt either.”

“The noise and activity associated with the proposal is acceptable and the amenity impact on neighbouring residents would not be demonstrably different or harmful when compared to a single dwellinghouse.”

Officer report

Objections from neighbours

Three objections raised safeguarding, crime prevention, highways, character, neighbouring amenity and overdevelopment concerns.

“Ward Councillors – Raises issues regarding residential amenity and traffic, loss of a family home, and the scale of extensions, representing a significant change to the character of the area. Public Representations 5.1 This application has been advertised in accordance with Article 15 of the Town and Country Planning Development Management Procedure (England) Order…”

“2015 by means of neighbour notification letters and display on the Council’s website. 5.2 3 objections have been received from neighbours. A summary of the material planning considerations raised are set out below: • Safeguarding • Crime prevention recommendations • Highways concerns regarding visibility, off-street parking and increased traffic • Harm to character of the area • Impact on neighbouring amenity • Overdevelopment of the site…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A ward member presented a resident’s opposition and spoke against the application, while the applicant spoke in support.

The decision

Planning permission was granted as recommended by officers, subject to planning conditions.

“A proposal was made to Grant Planning Permission subject to the imposition of planning conditions.”

“Decision: Planning Permission Granted as per Officer recommendation.”

Minutes