Children's care home at 27 Robin Road, Coalville

What was proposed

The application proposed changing one dwelling into a residential children’s care home for one child, without physical alterations.

“Change of use from C3 dwelling to C2 residential children's care home…”

“The mandatory requirement for 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for small sites as required by the Environment Act came into force on 2 April 2024. This application is exempt due to the development being de minims in scale and there being no loss of existing habitat and thus the delivery of the 10% is not mandatory for this application.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a two-storey detached dwelling in Coalville, within the settlement’s Limits to Development, with existing parking spaces.

“The application site consists of a two-storey detached dwelling. The existing floor plans shows 3 upstairs bedrooms and this would remain unchanged. There are no external alterations to the property proposed in this application.”

“This site is situated within Coalville and is located within the Limits to Development, as defined by the Policy Map to the adopted Local Plan.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier application to convert the integral garage into living accommodation and insert a window was permitted in June 2020.

“Relevant Planning History 20/00729/FUL - Conversion of existing integral garage into habitable accommodation and insertion of a window in the rear elevation of the garage – Permitted 03.06.2020”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant supported the proposal, while the ward member urged refusal because of neighbourhood impact, noise, pollution and out-of-hours disturbance.

Committee discussion

Members discussed parking and staff handovers, noting that concerns could be raised with the company and that the home would be regulated.

“In determining the application, some concerns were raised over the lack of parking on the site and the possible disturbance from staff change overs. It was acknowledged by the committee that should issues arise, residents would be able to contact the company to raise concerns to and that the home would also be regulated by Ofsted and Leicestershire County Council. It was also noted that there were no material grounds for refusing the application.”

Minutes

The vote

The motion to permit was carried after a recorded vote, with ten members supporting it and one voting against.

“The Chair put the motion to the vote. A recorded vote being required, the voting was as detailed below.”

“The application be permitted in accordance with the Officer’s recommendations. Motion to Permit in accordance with Officer's recommendation (Motion) Councillor Russell Boam For Councillor Dave Bigby For Councillor Richard Blunt For Councillor Rachel Canny For Councillor David Everitt For Councillor John Legrys For Councillor Peter Moult For Councillor Carol Sewell For Councillor Jenny Simmons For Councillor Nigel Smith For Councillor Michael Wyatt Against Carried…”

Minutes

Permission conditions

Permission was subject to time, approved-plan, use, occupancy, staffing and parking conditions.

“RECOMMENDATION – PERMIT, subject to the following conditions:”

“Standard time limit (3 years). Approved plans. Restriction to the proposed use only. Maximum of 1 child living on site at any given time. Limit maximum number of three carers and two management staff being on site at any one time (except for handover periods) 6. Retention of existing parking spaces.”

Officer report