Young persons’ home at 43 Pear Tree Avenue, Coppull, Chorley

What was proposed

The application sought to change a dwelling into a young persons’ home for up to two young people, with carers working on a rota.

“Proposal: Change of use of the dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) as a young persons home (Use Class C2) for a maximum of two young persons with carers as required, but no more than two carers resident overnight, working on a rota basis.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a four-bedroom detached dwelling with an attached garage, front driveway and rear private amenity space in a suburban residential street.

“The application site comprises a 4 bedroomed detached dwelling at 43 Pear Tree Avenue, Coppull. The dwelling is of a simple modern design and has an attached garage to the side elevation, a driveway to the frontage and private amenity space to the rear.”

“The directly surrounding streetscape is made up of residential dwellings of consistent design within a suburban setting, beyond which is open agricultural land and woodland.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval because they considered the proposal would not adversely affect the streetscene, residential amenity or highway safety.

“The proposed development would not result in any adverse impact on the streetscene, residential amenity or highway safety. The proposal does, therefore, accord with policy BNE1 of the Chorley Local Plan 2012-2026.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways officers raised no objection subject to a condition and informative, while the parish council made no comments and the proposal was not CIL liable.

“The following consultations have been sought:”

“Lancashire Highway Services – no objection subject to the use of an informative and a condition • Coppull Parish Council – no comments received • CIL Officers – proposal is not CIL liable…”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Thirteen objections raised concerns about traffic, parking, noise, disruption, property damage, activity and having two care homes opposite each other.

“Increased traffic and parking issues • Potential disruption and noise nuisance • All the issues associated with HMOs • Potential damage to properties • The property will be scruffy like the other care home on the street • The existing care home generates a lot of vehicles and the two will be opposite each other • One care home is enough for the street…”

“Not a cost-effective use of a property • Depreciation of property values • There are no facilities for young adults • This is community of retired people and families • Just a profit making business • Loss of a family home • Conflict with the strategic housing objectives of Lancashire County Council • Children have different needs to the elderly, it is incompatible to put them together • This is currently a sought-after area…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A ward councillor and the agent spoke during consideration of the application.

The committee’s decision

Planning permission was refused unanimously because vehicle movements and increased activity, noise and disturbance would harm neighbouring residential amenity.

“After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Alex Hilton, seconded by Councillor Katie Wilkie, and resolved unanimously that planning permission be refused due to the following reason:”

“The vehicular movements associated with the proposed use will lead to an increase in demand for on-street parking and combined with the level of activity, noise and disturbance increasing by activities such as visits from carers, specialist support that maybe required, along with general comings and goings at the property being greater than that of a family home.”

Minutes