Supported living accommodation at 14 Elm Grove, Hartlepool

What was proposed

The application sought supported living accommodation for up to five children, with a garage conversion, extension, canopy and eight parking spaces.

“The application seeks planning permission for the change of use from a residential dwelling (C3 Use Class) to supported living residential accommodation (C2 Use Class) which the applicant indicates in their supporting Planning Statement has been “specifically designed to provide specialist care for up to 5 children with learning difficulties and complex care needs”.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a detached locally listed building in a residential street, with gardens, a driveway and nearby homes, flats and garages.

“The application site comprises 14 Elm Grove, a detached locally listed building known as Myrtle Mount, in a residential street. The detached property is self- contained and set within a substantial plot, with a garden to the front, western side and rear, and a driveway to the eastern side. The host property is bounded by No. Elm Grove to the east, whilst to the west is a garage block serving residential flats at Oval Grange (with Nos.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions covered a detached garage and games room, while a similar supported living application was withdrawn in July 2025.

“H/2016/0135 - Amendment to planning application H/2014/0221 for the erection of a detached garage and games room, to provide 3 velux windows in the roof slope. Approved 12/05/2016.”

“H/2025/0113 - Change of use from residential dwelling (C3 Use Class) to supported living residential accommodation (C2 Use Class) for up to 5 children with learning difficulties and complex care needs, including garage conversion and single storey in-fill extension and canopy. Withdrawn 21/07/2025.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended refusal

Officers considered the scale of staffing, visitor activity, parking and associated disturbance incompatible with the residential character and neighbouring amenity.

“In respect of criterion 1, it is considered that the proposal to change the use of the residential dwelling (and associated large, detached garage as well as provision of a new, relatively large car park) to a supported living residential unit for up to 5 children is likely to have a detrimental impact on the amenities of the occupiers of adjoining or nearby premises by reason of noise and general disturbance through the intensification of use by the relatively high…”

“In respect of criterion 2, whilst it is considered that the scale and extent of the proposed alterations to the host buildings and additions of the proposed single storey extension to the rear and a canopy between this proposed extension and the garage are considered to be relatively modest, consideration is given to the construction of a proposed car parking area to the rear of the main building and west of the converted garage.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Eighteen objections raised concerns about character, noise, traffic, parking, trees, privacy, safety, drainage, management and cumulative impacts.

“- Impact/lack of compatibility with residential area, conflicts with planning policies designed to preserve the character of established neighbourhoods; - Application property is near the Park Conservation Area and the proposals will impact on the locally listed building, in conflict with Policies HE1 and HE3; - Impact on application property (internal and external), including the provision of a car park, and potential for neglected upkeep; - Impact on trees; - The increased…”

“- Safety concerns about and duty of care; - Surface water drainage from additional parking; - Applicant has purchased the property and undertaken works prior to applying for planning permission; - Concerns around the management of the operation and competence of the operator, and concerns if it should fail; - References to other properties in use by the applicant; - Lack of consultation from the applicant and delays in HBC consultation letter and site notice; - Query…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent said the proposal would provide a home for five children and usually have about eight staff, while an objectors’ representative raised traffic and disruption concerns.

What members discussed

Members noted the children would attend school, the accommodation could support community participation, and the application remained a planning matter despite the care crisis.

“They wanted to create a home environment for five children with limiting disabilities who were residing in a converted care home outside the Borough. The Agent stressed this would not be a children’s home but a home for children. There would be approximately eight staff on site who would support the children to live independently within the community.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Councillor Oliver moved refusal in line with the officer recommendation, Councillor Feeney seconded it, and the application was refused by majority.

“Not taking into account the emotive issue, this was a commercial operation in a large residential property in area of residential character. Councillor Oliver moved that this application be refused as per the officer recommendation. This was seconded by Councillor Feeney. The application was refused by majority. Decision: Planning Permission Refused REASON FOR REFUSAL”

Minutes

The decision and reasons

Planning permission was refused because the proposed use, layout, parking, activity and noise could harm the surrounding character and neighbouring amenity.

“In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority, the application site is not considered to be an appropriate or compatible location for the proposed use (as a supported living residential unit for 5 children and up to 12 day time staff and 5 night time staff) as the proposal would have the potential to result in a significant detrimental impact on both the character of the surrounding area and neighbour amenity as a result of the proposed layout (including provision of a…”

Minutes