Children’s home at 16 Oakland Way, Strelley

What was proposed

The application sought to change a dwelling into a children’s home for up to three children aged 7 to 18.

“The application is brought to the Committee at the request of Councillor P Owen and Councillor J Couch. 1. Purpose of the Report 1.1 The application seeks planning permission for the change of use of a dwelling (Use Class 3a) to a children's home (Use Class C2). 2. Recommendation The Committee is asked to RESOLVE that planning permission be granted subject to conditions. 3.”

“The application seeks permission for a change of use from C3 (dwelling) to C2 (residential institution) to have a children’s home, for up to three children from age 7 until they are 18.”

Officer report

The site

The detached four-bedroom dwelling has three off-street spaces, with bedrooms, staff offices, and rear-garden bike and bin storage proposed.

“The application site is a detached dwelling, located within a residential area. The dwelling has four bedrooms and three off-street parking spaces available. The proposal would see three of the four bedrooms used for children’s bedrooms and the other room as a staff office. The ground floor features a kitchen, living room, garage and additional office space. A bike store and bin storage area would be located within the rear garden. 3. Relevant Planning History…”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers considered the proposal acceptable because it retained residential use and was unlikely to significantly affect amenity, access or highway safety.

“Amenity 6.3.1 Policy 10 (F) states that the impact of a development on neighbour amenity will be a consideration. Policy 17 (4d) states that any development should not cause an unacceptable loss of amenity for the occupiers of neighbouring properties. The application does not propose any external changes to the dwelling and only relates to the change of use from C3 to C2, therefore loss of light is unlikely.”

“The benefit of the proposal is that there would be a new residential children’s care home (C2) which would contribute to providing a mix of housing tenure, type and size in order to create sustainable, inclusive and mixed communities. The property's external appearance would remain unchanged, as there are no extensions or alterations of the existing elevations.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Health and Highways raised no objections subject to information, while the care authority supported the home and its provider.

“Environmental Health - We have no objections to planning approval being granted subject to the following recommended information being supplied. Having read the Planning/design and Access Statement dated the 30/85/26 by Rose Consulting Planning and Regeneration and the Management Plan for the children’s home this department has concerns in relation to possible Antisocial behaviour including client related noise.”

“The children’s home provider behind this application – Serenity Safe Sanctuary – are a new children’s home provider but appear to have significant experience within the sector, which will undoubtedly support our Nottinghamshire children and young people. Serenity Safe Sanctuary already have an existing children’s home within Nottinghamshire which similarly supports up to 3 children.”

Officer report

Public speakers

The Committee heard from an objecting public speaker and the applicant.

Committee debate

Members discussed parking, the location, restrictive covenants, businesses operating on the estate and the care provider’s experience.

“The Committee opened the debate after considering all of the information before it. The Committee covered parking arrangements, the appropriateness of the location, restrictive covenants, and the operation of businesses on the estate.”

“The level of experience of the care provider was also discussed.”

Minutes

Committee decision

The Committee approved planning permission, subject to conditions controlling commencement, approved documents, the number of children and staff attendance.

“The Committee RESOLVED that planning permission be approved, subject to the following conditions:”

“The premises shall only be used as a children's home for a maximum of three children and for no other purpose (including any other purpose in Class C2 of the Schedule to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987…”

Minutes