Children’s care home at 8 Folgate Lane, Walpole St Andrew, Wisbech

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective change from a six-resident care-included house to a care home for up to three children aged 8–18.

“25/01660/CU Walpole: Folgate Lane, Walpole St Andrew: Retrospective application of change of use of a house of six residents (care included) (C3b) to a care home up to three children aged 8-18 (C2): Gabriela James…”

“The case officer introduced the report and advised that the application was a retrospective application for the change of use of a house of six residents (care included) (Use Class C3(b)) to a care home up to three children (Use Class C2) at No 8 Folgate Lane in Walpole St Andrew. No 8 was a four-bedroom bungalow, following recent renovations.”

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The site

The site was a four-bedroom bungalow on an approximately 0.08-hectare area within the development boundary and neighbourhood plan area.

“The application site was approximately 0.08ha in size, located to the northwest side of Folgate Lane, which was located within the development boundary and Neighbourhood Plan area of Walpole St Peter, St Andrew and Marsh.”

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Officers’ recommendation

Officers considered the proposal acceptable because its scale would be similar to a dwelling and would not cause unacceptable harm to neighbours or the locality.

“The application seeks the retention to the change the use of a residential dwelling (Use Class C3(b)) to a residential care home for up to three children aged 8 - 18 (Use Class C2). The application site is an existing four-bedroom dwelling in Walpole St Andrew, a Key Rural Service Centre, where the sustainability of the site is considered acceptable being within the development boundary of Walpole St Andrew.”

“Although concerns were raised by third parties and the Parish Council, regarding form and character, impact on neighbour impact (noise and disturbance, and crime, disorder and behaviour of residents), and highways safety, it is considered that the proposed scale of operations of the proposed use would be similar to the residential use a dwelling of this size and would not have any unacceptably detrimental impacts on neighbours or the locality as a whole.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Concerns covered noise, traffic, parking, safety, behaviour, community impact, location and decision-making, while several consultees raised no objection.

“Comments in objection can be categorised into five key matters: noise and disturbance; traffic, parking and accessibility; safety, behaviour and impact on the community; suitability of the location; and decision making. These matters have been covered in the planning balance, discussed above.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector and a supporter addressed the Committee about the application.

Committee discussion

Members were told that land use was a planning matter, while behaviour and care quality were regulated by Ofsted and other agencies.

“The Committee noted the key issues for consideration when determining the application, as set out in the report.”

“In response to issues raised by the Committee, it was clarified that while planning was concerned with land use, behaviour and care quality were regulated by Ofsted and other agencies.”

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The vote

Members voted on granting temporary approval for 12 months, with 13 votes in favour and one abstention.

“Councillor Mrs Spikings proposed that a temporary permission be granted for a one-year period to allow for a review of the situation after a year. This would give the community and the care provider an opportunity to address concerns. This was seconded by Councillor Bubb.”

“The Democratic Services Officer then carried out a roll call on the recommendation to approve the application for a 12-month temporary period and, after having been put to the vote was carried (13 votes for and 1 abstention).”

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The decision

The application was approved for a temporary 12-month period to allow the situation to be reviewed.

“RESOLVED: That the application be approved for a temporary 12- month period.”

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