Children's care home at 32 Piercing Hill, Theydon Bois, Epping

What was proposed

The application sought to change a four-bedroom dwelling into a children’s care home for up to three children aged seven to seventeen.

“Planning permission is sought for the change of use from residential dwelling (Use Class C3) to a C2 children’s care home. The proposed change of use would facilitate the provision of a 4 -bed residential care home accommodation designed to cater for up to a maximum of three children between the ages 7- 17 years old (Use Class C2.”

“The care provided would be 24 hours a day seven days of the week. There is a 12.5-hour shift system with changeover between 08:00 and 8:30pm and 8:00pm to 8:30am with a manager along with 3 workers present on site during the daytime hours 9.00- 5.00pm Mon-Frid and 2 at night.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a large detached house in a residential area, with a garage, rear garden and parking for up to four vehicles.

“No. 22 is a large 2 storey 5 -bed detached dwellinghouse located within a generous plot to the west of Piercing Hill that is residential in character, characterised by mainly large, detached two storey dwelling houses.”

“The property has a side garage, rear conservatory and a generous rear garden. The property is set back from the highway with front off-street parking for up to 4 vehicles.”

Officer report

What people said

The parish council sought specialist independent advice, while six neighbours objected over traffic, parking, safety, noise, activity and changes to the area’s character.

“- the Parish Council requests that more detailed independent and expert professional advice and opinion is sought as to the suitability or otherwise of this application to provide residential care for 3 children with diverse emotional and educational needs.”

“- Excessive traffic generation- Inadequate parking - impact on pedestrian and road safety - Environmental and residential amenity concerns - more noise and staff on night shifts. Change the character of the street and reduce the balance of family housing in the neighbourhood. - Its proposed use as a residential institution could result in overcrowding, intensive use of internal and external spaces, and strain on local infrastructure and services.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from the planning officer, an objector and Councillor C Amos as ward councillor.

The committee’s discussion

Members discussed the planning merits of the application.

“Members of the Committee received a presentation from the Planning Officer and representations from an objector and Ward Councillor C Amos. The Committee discussed the planning merits of the application.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee voted to approve the application with conditions.

“The Committee voted to APPROVE the application with conditions.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was approved with conditions limiting the home to three children and requiring an electric vehicle charging point.

“Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order (GPDO) 2015 (or any Order revoking and/or re-enacting that Order) the premises shall only be used as children's home as specified in the application and for no other purpose of the Schedule to the Town & Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 or any provision equivalent to that Class in any Statutory Instrument revoking and/or re-enacting that Order).”

“Prior to first occupation of the development hereby approved, 1 Electric Vehicle Charging Point shall be installed and retained thereafter for use by the occupants of the site.”

Officer report