Children’s home at 49 Pattison Street, Shuttlewood, Chesterfield

What was proposed

The application proposed changing the existing house into a children’s home for one child, with two staff present around the clock and a daytime manager.

“SUMMARY The application is for the change of use of the existing dwelling to a children’s home for one child between the age of 6 - 17. The home is intended to operate with two members of staff on site 24hrs a day with a manager also on site during the day. No external changes are proposed to the dwelling.”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The site is a semi-detached dwelling with two front parking spaces, a rear garden and surrounding houses and flats.

“SITE & SURROUNDINGS Three bedroom, two and a half storey semi-detached dwelling (Second floor accommodation in the roof space). Existing access to the front with two parking spaces side by side on the site frontage. To the rear of the property is a garden enclosed by a timber fence. To the northeast, is a pair of semi-detached dwellings which were built at the same time as the one on site, beyond which are flats.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Permission was granted for eight dwellings in 2021, followed by permission in 2025 for two nearby dwellings to become children’s homes.

“Planning permission was granted for 8 dwellings in a row (four pairs of semi-detached dwellings) in 2021 which replaced a public house on the site.”

“Planning permission was then granted in 2025 for the change of use of two of the dwellings directly to the northeast of this site to children’s homes for one child.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, finding that the proposal would help meet the need for children’s homes while managed noise and parking impacts would remain acceptable.

“CONCLUSION / PLANNING BALANCE There is an identified need for the provision of care homes for children within the county. It is acknowledged that Shuttlewood is not the most sustainable location for such a home, but DCC Children’s Services have previously confirmed that a quieter location may be required for some children.”

“The proposal will likely result in some on street parking, but this is not considered to be significantly greater than if the property remains a dwelling and a such the proposal is not considered to be detrimental to highway safety and there are no objections to the proposal from the Highway Authority.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways raised no objection, environmental health requested a noise plan, and children’s services said additional local provision could be useful.

“Based on the analysis of the information submitted and a review of Local and National policy the Highway Authority concludes that there would not be an unacceptable impact on Highway Safety or a severe impact on congestion. Therefore, no justifiable grounds on which an objection could be maintained. Advise a condition requiring the existing parking provision of two parking spaces to be retained in perpetuity.”

“The applicant has also purchased the other new semi-detached houses on Pattison Street, (numbers 44/45 and 46/47,) and intend to apply for the same use in time. It’s understood that you can only consider the current proposal, but this is perhaps one to bear in mind when looking at the saturation of uses and their impact on neighbour amenity. Supported Accommodation Review Team: Children’s homes do not fall within the remit of the Supported Accommodation Review Team (SART).”

Officer report

Objections received

The parish council and two neighbours objected over concentration, traffic, disturbance, limited services and the possible displacement of families.

“HISTORY 20/00551/FUL Granted Conditionally Demolition of existing public house and erection of 8 new dwellings CONSULTATIONS Parish Council: Objects to the proposal on the following grounds: The proposed development would result in four care homes in very close proximity on Pattison Street.”

“The proposed use would generate increased noise and disturbance, potentially at unsocial hours and a loss of privacy. The residential amenity of neighbouring properties, including those currently occupied by families, would be materially affected. The property is currently occupied as a family home. If this development proceeds, it would directly displace a family, potentially causing homelessness or forcing relocation outside the area. 6.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in favour, explaining that social services would place the child and addressing parking and the possible level of care.

What members discussed

Members discussed the child’s placement and care needs, parking, and the responsibilities of social services, Ofsted and the county council.

“A Member informed of a previous career in Children and Family Services at Derbyshire County Council and enquired about asked on the level of care the child might require. Balbier Dhillon informed it would depend on the request by the local authority.”

“A Member noted Ofsted would be responsible for ensuring the property was suitable to house a child. A Member agreed, reiterating responsibility would lie with Ofsted and that Derbyshire County Council had made clear of the need for the provision of such proposals.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee approved the application by six votes to one.

“Moved by Councillor Phil Smith and seconded by Councillor Steve Fritchley RESOLVED that application no. 26/00033/FUL be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:”

Minutes