Children’s home for one child at 5 Midland Close, Melling, Sefton

What was proposed

The application sought to change a residential dwelling into a children’s home for one child aged between 7 and 17.

“Proposal: Change of Use of Residential Dwelling (C3) to Childrens Home (C2) for one child aged between 7-17.”

“The proposal seeks planning permission to change the use of a residential dwelling to a children’s home to provide care for one child age between 7– 17.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The four-bedroom detached property is at the end of a cul-de-sac in a primarily residential area, and nine homes were previously approved there.

“The application relates to a four-bedroom detached property, which was approved under DC/2029/01202 as a residential dwelling. It is located at the end of Midland Close, a cul-de-sac off Spencer’s Lane in Melling. The site sits within a primarily residential area, as designated by Sefton Local Plan 2017.”

“DC/2019/01202 The erection of 9 dwellinghouses after demolition of the existing dwelling was approved on 26 th March 2020.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the use acceptable because one child and two carers could be accommodated without significant harm to neighbours, highways or the area’s character.

“Given the proposal is for a single child, it is unlikely that the proposal would result in the property being used much more intensively compared to the number of occupants that could reside in the property as a single dwelling house. No external changes are proposed to the property, and it is not considered that the proposed use would cause harm to the character and appearance of the area. As such, the proposal is considered to comply with Policy EQ2 (Design).”

“The use of the premises as a children’s home for a single child can be accommodated without causing significant harm to the living conditions of the neighbouring residents or the character of the area. There are not any significant concerns about crime and disorder within the area.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways and Environmental Health raised no objections subject to a condition, while the police had no observations and Children’s Services did not respond.

“Highways Manager No objection subject to a condition.”

“Environmental Health Manager No objection.”

Officer report

What residents said

Eighty-four objection letters raised concerns about safety, management, disturbance, suitability, parking, traffic, property values and the loss of family housing.

“- Management and safeguarding details are insufficiently evidenced. - High turnover of residents and the likelihood of resident having complex needs. - Worried about own safety. - Proposal will cause distress in area. - Unknown visitors coming into Close. - Home will experience frequent attendance from emergency services. - Worried about child breaking into houses. - The proposals proximity to Kirkby-an area of high crime…”

“- Not the correct location for children’s home. - Understated impact of changeover periods. - Noise and disturbance from handover periods. - Residential setting cannot provide the space, supervision, or specialist support required, increasing the risk of disruption to neighbours. - Lacks the structured, purpose-built facilities needed to safeguard both the child and the community. -Loss of privacy. - Intensification of property would change the character of the street.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard a petition from objectors, a response from the applicant and representations from the ward councillor on behalf of objectors.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the recommendation and granted permission subject to the proposed conditions, adding a condition limiting the property to one child.

“That the recommendation be approved and the application be granted subject to the conditions and for the reasons stated or referred to in the report and with an additional condition limiting the use of the property to a single child.”

Minutes