Children's care facility at 10 Egdon Drive, Poole

What was proposed

Permission was sought to change a dwelling into a children’s care facility for three children, with carers living there on shifts and no external alterations.

“Planning permission is sought for change of use from dwelling house (C3 use) to Children's care facility (C2 use). A change of use is required as there will be carers residing at the property on a shift basis. No external alterations are proposed. The accommodation would be for 3 children (restricted by condition) with primary needs relating learning disabilities and autism.”

“Planning is required as this proposal would fall within Use class C2 (Residential care) where there would be 24-hour care for the children on a shift pattern, representing a material change of use from Use Class C3 (residential).”

Officer report

The site

The site is a two-storey detached house on a cul-de-sac, with front parking, a rear outdoor area and protected trees.

“The application site relates to a two storey detached dwellinghouse located on the south-east side of Egdon Drive. To the front is a garden part laid in hardstanding for a driveway with low level hedgerow as boundary treatment. To the rear is an outdoor amenity area with matured trees within it. Vehicular access is taken from Egdon Drive, a cul-de-sac.”

“The tree within the rear garden is covered with Tree Protection Order.”

Officer report

Planning history

There was no relevant planning history, and trees in the garden are covered by a group tree protection order.

“The Trees in the garden fall within a Group Tree Protection Order.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the use would preserve the area’s character, provide suitable accommodation and avoid unacceptable highway or neighbour impacts.

“The scale of the occupancy and the number of staff on shift at one time would not be materially different from the occupancy expected of a dwelling of this size. The house and its curtilage would retain the look and character of neighbouring houses; that of a normal residential dwelling.”

“The proposed scheme based on the plan contain sympathetic elements that would preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the subject property and the wider area. The proposed accommodation, considered as a whole, provides suitable living conditions for all occupants.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental health had no comment, highways supported the proposal, waste services raised collection arrangements, and the tree officer expected no tree impacts.

“Waste Service – The waste from this premises would be classed as household waste that the council has a statutory obligation to collect. However, this type of waste allows for the council to recover its collection charges. An alternative would be for the developer to obtain an alternative commercial waste collection. The developer can determine the bin size and collection frequency in consultation with their chosen waste collection provider.”

“Tree Officer – There are no proposed changes or alterations to the existing floor plans or layout either internally to the property or externally. Therefore, no impacts are expected to tree on or off site.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Twenty-eight representations opposed the proposal, citing parking, traffic, noise, amenity, safety, residential character, services and operational concerns.

“Site notice was posted outside the site on 12th June 2025 with an expiry date for 3 rd July 2025. 28 representations were received against the proposal on the following grounds:”

“Highway safety and inadequate parking space • Impact on residential amenity in terms of daylight. • Increase in occupancy resulting to substantial increase in noise, rubbish, vehicles, and deliveries to the properties, deviating from their intended single-family usage. • The proposed conversion would place an undue burden on local services and infrastructure, including healthcare services. • Detrimental impact on residential character and community stability.”

Officer report

Who spoke

No objectors addressed the committee; the applicant and a supporter were listed as supporters, and a ward councillor attended.

The vote

Members voted unanimously to grant permission in accordance with the recommendation, subject to delegated wording and an additional waste management condition.

“Resolved to GRANT permission in accordance with the recommendation set out in the officer’s report, as updated by the Committee Addendum published on 05.11.25, subject to power being delegated to the Head of Planning (Operations) to determine the final wording of additional clauses to condition 5 to include how staff changeovers are handled, staffing, a 24/7 telephone contact for issues and details of complaint logging process, and the addition of a condition 6 with a waste…”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted for up to three children and three carers, with conditions controlling the use and requiring an operational management plan.

“The development hereby permitted shall begin not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date this permission is granted.”

Officer report