Children’s care home at 81 Main Street, Thringstone, Coalville

What was proposed

The application sought to change a dwelling into a children’s care home for up to three young people, with 24-hour care and four proposed parking spaces.

“The application states that the children's care home would be operated for a maximum of three young persons between the ages of four and 17 years and have 24 hour care provided, with a maximum of three full-time members of staff (two carers and one dedicated manager) working shift patterns at any given time. Visitors from Ofsted, social workers and other regulatory agencies would also attend the site. Changeovers of care staff would take place at 10.00am and 10.00pm daily.”

“The application proposes to increase the number of on-site parking spaces to four located within the front garden area of the site, (amended plans for the proposed spaces have been received during consideration of the application) and these are proposed to be provided under existing permitted development rights. A separate application for works within the highway (to drop the kerbs) would need to be submitted to the County Highway Authority.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a two-storey detached four-bedroom dwelling within the settlement’s Limits to Development, with an integral double garage.

“The application site consists of a two storey detached dwelling with an integral double garage.”

“The site is situated within Thringstone and is located within Limits to Development, as defined by the Policy Map to the adopted North West Leicestershire Local Plan (2021).”

Officer report

Nearby planning history

There were no recorded applications for the site since 2001, while care-home permissions had been granted at nearby numbers 73 and 75 Main Street.

“Planning permission was granted in August 2024 for the change of use to a children's residential home (Class C2) at No. Main Street (24/00685/FUL)”

“Planning permission was granted in December 2020 for the change of use from residential dwelling (Use Class C3) to children’s care home (Use Class C2) at No. Main Street (20/01401/FUL).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the site was suitable in principle and the proposal would provide care for children without unacceptable planning impacts.

“In the ministerial statement dated from 23 May 2023 the then Housing and Planning Minister set out the Government's commitment to support for the development of accommodation for looked after children, and its delivery through the planning system. The minister also stated that the planning system should not be a barrier to providing homes for the most vulnerable children in society in the right places with access to schools and community support.”

“In planning terms, the nature of the proposal is such that the property would remain in residential use within a residential area. There are no planning policies which restrict, in principle, such care homes from being provided within existing residential areas, subject to all material planning considerations.”

Officer report

Highways and neighbours

Officers considered that the proposal would not cause unacceptable highway, parking, noise or disturbance impacts, subject to four parking spaces being provided.

“The current use as a four-bedroom dwelling to be compliant with the Leicestershire Highway Design Guide (LHDG) requires there to be three off-street parking spaces. There are currently two external parking spaces and a double garage.”

“The CHA concludes that, in its view, the impacts of the development on highway safety would not be unacceptable, and when considered cumulatively with other developments, the impacts on the road network would not be severe.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Protection raised no objection, the County Highway Authority accepted the proposal subject to a parking condition, and one representation objected.

“No objection subject to condition: County Highway Authority…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent supported approval, while Councillor Everitt, the ward member, said the location was unsuitable and urged refusal.

Members’ discussion

Members supported the application but discussed the unusual proximity of three homes and whether traffic routes or staggered changeovers could be required.

“Members had a discussion during which they expressed support for the application but commented that having three homes in close proximity was unusual. The Head of Planning and Infrastructure advised members that there was no policy that limited the number of children’s homes within a given area.”

“A member questioned whether a condition could have been imposed to have required staff to use specific traffic routes and stagger change over times for the different care homes which would have alleviated issues with congestion. Members were advised that it would not have been reasonable to have imposed conditions which required specific routes or change over times, and that those matters were not enforceable or relevant to planning merits.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

The recommended conditions included a three-year time limit, approved plans, limits on use, occupancy and staffing, and four on-site parking spaces.

“RECOMMENDATION – PERMIT, subject to the following conditions:”

“Standard time limit (3 years). Approved Plans. Restrict to the proposed use only. Maximum of 3 children living on site at any given time. Limit maximum number of two carers and one management staff being on site at any one time (except at handover periods) 6. Increase on-site parking area before care home brought into use.”

Officer report