Children’s residential care home at 82 Vermont Close, Great Sankey, Warrington

What was proposed

The application sought to convert a four-bedroom dwelling into a three-child residential care home with non-resident carers and no external house alterations.

“2026/00221/FUL Description of Development: Change of Use of Dwellinghouse (Class C3) to 3 child children's residential care home with non-resident carers (Class C2)”

“This proposed development is to convert the dwelling (Use Class C3) into a children’s residential care home falling in Use Class C2. The home would accommodate 3no children aged between 7-18 years, who would be cared for by non-resident carers. No external alterations are proposed to the house itself as the existing layout would be used to provide 3no children’s bedrooms and 2no staff bedrooms, one being located at ground floor.”

Officer report

Officers’ assessment

Officers found the proposal acceptable in principle, with no unacceptable highway, residential amenity or visual harm, subject to conditions.

“The proposal for a change of use from Class C3 to C2 is therefore acceptable in principle subject to a condition preventing use of the site for any other purpose within Class C2. The proposal is therefore deemed to be acceptable in principle, subject to assessment of the potential impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties, the character of the area and acceptable parking and highway safety arrangements.”

“The principle of development would be acceptable and there would be no unacceptable harm in relation to highway operation and safety, residential amenity or visual amenity. It is therefore recommended that planning permission is granted subject to the schedule of conditions bel…”

Officer report

Residents’ views

Eighteen neighbours objected over parking, highway safety, character, amenity and the suitability of the property; one letter supported the proposal.

“Development would intensify use of property compared to single-family dwelling • Harm to domestic character of existing street • Application site fundamentally unsuitable for proposed use • Over-concentration of similar facilities in WA5 • Case for need should be given limited weight as it is not site-specific • Development would result in loss of family dwelling • Type of care proposed does not result in good outcomes for children • House deeds would prevent site from…”

“Increased on-street parking • Harm to safe operation of highway • In reality driveway and garage cannot accommodate 4no vehicles • Visits from external specialists would generate more vehicular movements • Bend in road restricts visibility on corner, which is detrimental to highway safety • No transport statement or parking space measurements provided • This section of Vermont Close has no pavement • Staff unlikely to use public transport due to distance from bus stops •…”

Officer report

What the committee heard

Representations were heard both in favour of and against the application.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application with conditions in line with the officer recommendation.

“The application was approved with conditions as per officer recommendation.”

Minutes