Therapeutic children's home at High Dene Cottage, Woldingham, Caterham

What was proposed

The application sought to change a residential dwelling into a small therapeutic children’s home for one child or young person aged 7 to 17.

“Application: 2025/1401 Location: High Dene Cottage, Camp Road, Woldingham, Caterham, Surrey, CR3 7LH Proposal: Change of use of residential dwelling (Use Class C3) to a small therapeutic children’s home (Use Class C2) to provide high- quality, therapeutic residential accommodation for a single placement of young person or child aged 7–17 years Ward: Woldingham…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, considering the home domestic in scale and finding no significant harm to the Green Belt, neighbours, character or highways.

“The proposal site lies within the Green Belt. However, the proposal does not involve any external building works, extensions, or changes to the buildings form or footprint. It does not therefore constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt by reason of built form. The key question in Green Belt terms is whether the proposed use would cause harm to the openness of the Green Belt through increased activity.”

“It is viewed by the case officer that the modest level of activity associated with a single-placement children's home, with vehicle movements broadly comparable to those of a small family dwelling, and no external changes to the building, does not represent a material or visible intensification that would harm the openness or rural tranquillity of the Green Belt. The use is small-scale, domestic, and discreet.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

The highway authority and environmental health officer raised no objections, while local groups and residents objected over access, parking, traffic, noise and Green Belt effects.

“County Highway Authority – “The application site is accessed via Camp Road, which is a private road and does not form part of the public highway, therefore it falls outside The County Highway Authority's jurisdiction.”

“Environmental Health Officer –” I refer to your recent request for observations on the above application. I can confirm that I have no objections on Environmental Health grounds.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector spoke for the Woldingham Association, a councillor spoke for the parish council, and the applicant’s representative spoke in support.

What members debated

Members considered whether the site provided safe access, sustainable transport and suitable conditions for specialist accommodation without harming local character and amenity.

“The proposed change of use from a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a children’s home (Use Class C2) would introduce a specialist residential care use on a site which, by reason of its layout, topography and access arrangements, has not been demonstrated to provide safe, practical and suitable access for future occupants, carers, visitors and emergency services. The dwelling is located materially below road level and is accessed via a narrow and constrained stepped route.”

“The proposed children’s home would be located outside the settlement boundary of Woldingham in a countryside location that is poorly served by sustainable transport modes, education facilities, community facilities and day-to-day services. The site has no access to a scheduled bus service, no secondary school within Woldingham and limited access to local services. Access to key facilities relies upon routes that are unlit and, in places, lack footways.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The refusal motions were seconded and approved by the committee.

“Councillor Sherry proposed that the committee consider the following motions for refusal:”

“The motions were seconded by Councillor Stringer. Upon being put to the vote, the motions were approved.”

Minutes