Children’s home at 24 Oakleigh Avenue, Hallow, Worcester

What was proposed

The application sought to change a four-bedroom home into a children’s home for up to three children, with staff present around the clock.

“The application site comprises a two-storey semi-detached dwellinghouse with a garden to the rear and a driveway to the front, which is located on the western side of Oakleigh Avenue. The site is located on a street characterised by both detached and semi-detached dwellinghouses, which is situated within a wider residential area. The site is located within the development boundary of Hallow.”

“The application seeks planning permission for the change of use of the property from a C3 Dwellinghouse to a C2 Children’s Home. The home would provide housing for up to three children between the ages of 8-17 with these children residing at the property as part of both short- and long-term placements.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions concerned a first-floor bedroom, kitchen and garage extension and a first-floor extension over the garage with internal remodelling.

“86/00068/FUL. First Floor bedroom Kitchen & garage extension. Oakleigh Avenue, Hallow, Worcester, WR2 6NG. APL. Mar 5 1986”

“21/01218/HP. Proposed first floor extension over garage with internal remodelling. Oakleigh Avenue, Hallow, Worcester, WR2 6NG. APL. Sep 13 2021”

Officer report

Who spoke

The case officer presented the application; the parish council representative, an objector and the ward member addressed the committee, while the applicant and agent did not speak.

The committee vote

A motion to refuse permission against the officer recommendation was proposed and seconded, passing with eight votes for, two against and no abstentions.

“A motion to REFUSE planning permission, contrary to officer recommendation, was proposed by Councillor D Clarke, seconded by Councillor B Jones-Williams and…”

Minutes

Why permission was refused

The committee found the semi-detached property unsuitable because of potential noise, limited parking, vehicle movements, shift-change disturbance and perceived harm to residents’ wellbeing.

“Full Planning Permission should be REFUSED contrary to Officer recommendation for the following reason:”

“The application property comprises a semi-detached dwelling with no additional sound proofing proposed and situated in close proximity to its adjoining and other immediate neighbours. Consequently, it would form an unsuitable host property for the proposed use, by reasons of the significant potential to generate unacceptable noise nuisance, giving rise to disturbance to the occupiers of neighbouring properties.”

Minutes