Children’s home at 105 Richmond Park, Liverpool

What was proposed

The applicant proposed a children’s home for one young person, with round-the-clock staffing and no internal or external alterations.

“The applicant proposes to use the dwellinghouse as a children’s home for one young person aged between 8–18 years of age, with 24/7 staff presence and a 2:1 staffing ratio. Staffing would comprise a small pool of registered care workers, working on a 48hr shift pattern, covering shifts on a 2 days on / 4 days off basis. Changeover would occur every 48hrs at 9.30am.”

Officer report

The site

The property is a mid-terrace two-storey dwelling with a rear yard and no off-street parking, in an established residential area.

“The application relates to a mid terrace two storey dwelling sited on the western side of Richmond Park. The dwelling has an original two storey outrigger and benefits from a small rear yard, but no off street parking.”

“The property has red brick elevations, painted grey, and a pitched, grey tiled roof. The application form states that the existing use of the property is a C3 dwellinghouse.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways and Environmental Health raised no objections subject to requirements, while Children’s Services expressed concerns about regulation, cost and the intention to operate legally.

“The care provider has a Responsible Individual who has previous experience of managing homes, which was a positive. They would be willing to join the Liverpool framework and were able to detail their model/aims. Children’s Services remain sceptical of the intention to genuinely operate legally.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Planning Case Officer outlined the application, and the applicant said approval would be followed by registration with Ofsted.

The decision

The application was approved with the proposed conditions, including limits on children, staffing, shift patterns, sound insulation, waste and access.

“25F/2253 to use the premises 105 Richmond Park, Liverpool 6, as a Children's Home (Use Class C2), be approved with Conditions as proposed by the Director of Planning and Building Control. _____”

Minutes

Main conditions

The conditions limit the home to one child, control staffing and shifts, require sound insulation and provide for removable ramped access.

“The staffing level and shift pattern of the staff associated with the premises shall be operated as follows: • Two full-time support workers present on site at all times including overnight • Staff changeover will take place every 48 hours between 9.30am-10am • A house manager visiting between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday REASON: It is in the interests of the amenity of nearby residents, to avoid overcrowding and for the purposes of clarity on operation of the use hereby…”

“REASON: To safeguard amenity and maintain the quality of the street environment 9 C014e Ramped Access No part of the development brought into use until a removable ramp has been provided at the site which will allow for ramped access between street level and the ground floor.”

Officer report