Children's home at 38 Howden Drive, Roby, Knowsley

The site and surroundings

The site is a semi-detached dwelling surrounded by residential properties, with existing front parking and an enclosed rear garden.

“The application site is a semi-detached dwelling on Howden Drive, Roby. At the time of Officer’s site visit part of the front garden area of the property was part laid to slab paving for off-street parking with direct access off Howden Drive, there is no boundary wall to the front boundary and no vegetation to the front of the dwelling.”

“The site is rectangular in shape and the property is attached to No. Howden Drive to the north. The dwelling has a front entrance porch and a single storey extension to the rear. The rear garden has a patio and grassed area which is enclosed by timber fencing.”

Officer report

Relevant site history

There was no relevant site history for considering the application.

“None relevant to the consideration of this application.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, finding the use acceptable in principle and its effects on neighbours, safety, crime and highways acceptable with conditions.

“The proposed use as a care home is a ‘Residential Institution’ and it is considered that this use is generally appropriate in a residential area given that they are a residential type of use. However, as set out by the policies cited above this is subject to the use not having an unacceptable impact on the amenity of neighbours or the character of the area.”

“The proposed use would be acceptable in principle, and issues of residential amenity; crime and anti-social behaviour; and highway safety are discussed below. Therefore, the principle of the C2 use proposed complies with Local Plan: Core Strategy Policies CS2 and CS19 and Saved UDP Policy H5.”

Officer report

How the impacts were assessed

Officers considered that activity, staffing, vehicle movements and supervision would not cause significant harm to residential amenity or highway safety.

“There would inevitably be some noise associated with comings and goings from the property in the form of car doors opening and closing, and the noise of engines particularly associated with staff change over times. However, this would take place during daytime hours and would be relatively infrequent.”

“The level of activity likely to occur as a result of the C2 use would therefore not result in significant harm to residential amenity. This is supported by the views of the Council’s Environmental Health team who have no objection to the proposal.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Health, the Highway Authority and Children’s Social Care raised no objections or concerns, subject to specified matters, while police comments focused on physical security.

“Children’s Social Care (Knowsley Council) – Raise no concerns however advise that Knowsley Commissioning have not had any contact from the provider and they would expect any new provider in the borough to work with commissioning to ensure that they are able to place Knowsley children locally. There is a need for smaller 1-2 bed Ofsted registered children's homes in the borough, who can offer specialist support.”

“Merseyside Police Architectural Liaison Officer – Comment solely on the physical security and target hardening aspects of the development. No further comments received from Merseyside Police Missing From Home and Safeguarding Teams.”

Officer report

What residents said

Residents objected to possible disruption, noise, anti-social behaviour, traffic, parking, safety, consultation and the suitability of the location, while two letters supported the proposal.

“Need for shift workers, external professionals, and potentially high- risk young people would be out of place and negatively affect the atmosphere and safety of area. • Increased involvement from emergency services. • Deeds say residential not business. • Traffic and parking and accessibility is already an issue on this road. • Increased traffic due to staff vehicles, delivery vans, emergency vehicles. • Risk to safety of drivers and pedestrians, particularly children.”

“Residents have raised repeated complaints about groups of young people causing disruption, including dangerous use of e-bikes and illegal scrambler bikes and the council and local police have failed to take meaningful action. • Personal experience of children's homes which are subject to regular visits from the police due to disruptive behaviour. • Experience of other living near homes indicate they were regularly targeted by local youths causing damage.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector made a verbal representation during the three-minute period allowed in the decision-making process.

The committee decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to the conditions in the schedule.

“(1) the report of the Executive Director (Regeneration and Economic Development) on the above application for planning permission; and…”

“RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the schedule.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

The conditions control parking, cycle storage, the number of children, staffing, operation of the home and its use within Class C2.

“Time Limit Advisory 2. Approved Plans List Advisory 3. Implementation of car parking Prior to first use…”

“Provision of cycle storage Prior to first use 5. Maximum of one child / young person Ongoing 6. Staffing levels /shift patterns in accordance with Supporting Statement Ongoing 7. Premises operated in accordance with Supporting Statement Ongoing 8. Use as residential care home only and no other use falling within Use Class C2 – Residential Institutions Ongoing…”

Officer report