Children’s home for two at 40 Iris Drive, Coppull, Chorley

What was proposed

The application sought to change a four-bedroom dwelling into a residential children’s home for up to two children aged 7 to 17.

“Proposal: Change of use from C3 dwellinghouse to C2 Residential Children home for up to 2 Children (age 7-17)”

“The application seeks permission for the change of use from C3 dwellinghouse to C2 Residential Children home for up to 2 Children (age 7-17).”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The property is a newly developed detached home on a residential estate, with open space, a balancing pond and a pumping station nearby.

“The application relates to a newly developed, detached, four bedroom property on the corner of Iris Drive and Lower Burgh Way, Coppull. The property is orientated such that Iris Drive runs parallel to the eastern boundary of the site.”

“The property is located within the settlement area, as defined by the Chorley Local Plan 2012-2026 with the directly surrounding locality residential in nature to the north, however to the south is open space, balancing pond and a pumping station.”

Officer report

Officers’ main assessment

Officers considered the proposed activity comparable to a larger family household and estimated up to four additional daily vehicle movements.

“The occupation of the property by two young people and up to three staff in the daytime and two adults overnight would not be significantly different to a family living together in a residential dwellinghouse with comings and goings not dissimilar to those of a larger family carrying out school runs, trips to work or for shopping and leisure activities and in receiving visitors on a social basis or care.”

“LCC Highways estimate that the children’s home would generate up to 4 vehicle movements (2 arrivals and 2 departures) more than a typical residential dwelling per day. This number of additional vehicle movements would represent a small percentage increase in vehicle movements on Iris Drive and Lower Burgh Way, such that the impact on amenity would be negligible.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council objected over parking space sizes, while highways officers raised no objection to the amended site plan.

“The following consultation responses have been received:”

“Coppull Parish Council – object on the grounds that none of the parking spaces are of adequate size • CIL Officers – proposal is not CIL liable • Regulatory Services - Environmental Health – no comments received • Lancashire Highway Services – no objection on the basis of the amended site plan.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The speakers were an objector, the ward councillor and the applicant.

The committee vote

The committee resolved to refuse permission after a proposal was made and seconded, with 10 members voting for and one against.

“After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Craige Southern, seconded by Councillor Russ Green, and subsequently resolved (10 for, 1 against) that planning permission be refused for the following reason…”

Minutes

The final decision

Planning permission was refused because the committee found increased activity would cause unacceptable noise, disturbance and on-street parking pressure.

“The proposed change of use will have a detrimental impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties because the increased activity at the property will cause unacceptable noise and disturbance arising from the increased activity above that of a dwelling.”

Minutes