Children’s home age change at 33 Gwendoline Buck Drive, Aylesbury

What was proposed

The application sought to allow care for up to two children aged 10 to 18 instead of 10 to 16.

“Reason: To provide certainty as to what is being approved and what has been considered.” The current application seeks permission to vary condition 4 imposed on permission reference 24/03207/APP in order to in order to extend the age range of children that care is provided for from 10-16 to 10-18.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

The children’s home permission was approved in December 2024, and details for three conditions were later found satisfactory.

“Relevant Planning History Reference: 24/03207/APP Development: Change of use from C3 (Residential) to C2 (Children's home) Decision: Approved Decision Date: December 2024”

“Reference: 24/A3207/DIS Development: Application for approval of details subject to condition 2 (noise management plan), condition 3 (management plan), condition 4 (children's management policy) of planning approval ref:24/03207/APP Decision: Satisfies Requirements Decision Date: April 2025”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

The town council had no objections, while five objections raised concerns about parking, noise, highways, character, intensification and residential amenity.

“Town Council Comments Aylesbury Town Council: Aylesbury Town Council have no objections to this application.”

“Representations 5 objections were received objecting to the proposal on the following grounds: • Impact on parking • Impact on character of area • Noise impact • Cumulative impact • Impact on highway safety…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The local member spoke, along with a local resident speaking on behalf of the objectors.

Committee discussion

Members suggested writing to planning and children’s services leads about multiple children’s homes and awareness of non-council-owned homes.

“The case officer introduced the report and advised that condition 1 was to be amended to remove the first sentence ‘The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.”

“During debate it was suggested that the Chairman, on behalf of the Committee write to the Cabinet Member for Planning to raise the issue of multiple properties in a limited area being converted to children’s homes as an area of consideration for the emerging Local Plan and to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services to ensure that there was an awareness of non-council owned children’s homes having been granted planning approval.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee resolved to approve the application subject to the conditions set out in the report.

“It was proposed by Councillor L Monger, seconded by Councillor C Poll and…”

“That application PL/25/5593/VRC be approved subject to the conditions as set out in the report.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to conditions, including care for no more than two children aged 10 to 18 and provision of parking spaces.

“Recommendation 8.1 Conditions 2 and 3 on permission reference: 24/03207/APP were discharged under planning reference 24/A3207/DIS on 08.04.2025 and therefore these conditions do not need to be reimposed. The application seeks to vary condition 4 imposed on permission reference 24/03207/APP, as detailed above.”

“The parking spaces as indicated on the approved plan shall be made available prior to the fist occupation of the development hereby permitted. The spaces shall be maintained as ancillary to the development, kept free of obstruction and shall only be used for the parking of vehicles.”

Officer report