Children’s home at Silver Copse, Oxford Road, Abingdon

What was proposed

The application sought to change a single dwelling into an Ofsted-registered children’s home for up to four looked-after children, with a staff flat over the garage.

“PROPOSAL Change of Use of Single Dwelling (Class C3) to Ofsted Registered Children's Home (Class C2) for up to four looked after children (as amplified by additional transport information and supporting statements from care providers received 25 June 2025).”

“PROPOSAL 2.1 The applicant seeks full planning permission for the change of use of the dwelling at Silver Copse (Class C3) to a children's home (Class C2) for up to four looked-after children. The application also includes a Manager’s flat for the live-in carer, located over the garage. There is no operational development proposed.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The six-bedroom dwelling lies on a private track serving six homes, within a large plot beside Frilford Heath Golf Course.

“The application site is located on a private track accessed off Oxford Road (A338) in Frilford Heath. The 6-bed dwelling sits within a large plot with a parking area to the front, along with a connected 1 ½ height attached garage, and a separate 1 ½ storey height garage (with bedroom / guest accommodation over). The property is one of 6 dwellings accessed via the track. Frilford Heath Golf Course wraps around the north and west of the group of dwellings.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and use

A 2022 application was withdrawn, a 2023 lawful-use application was refused and appealed, and the children’s-home use operated from July 2024 to May 2025.

“Further to the planning application a lawful development proposal was submitted under P23/V1067/LDP. Officers concluded that a material change of use would occur through changing from a residential dwelling to a children’s home for 4 children, and planning permission would be required. The certificate was therefore refused. The application is currently at appeal and is still under consideration.”

“Use of the site as a children’s home was operational from July 2024 to May 2025, and two young people were living at the property during that period. The Planning Enforcement Team liaised with the applicant to prompt the submission of a planning application. The use has now ceased and the enforcement investigation has concluded.”

Officer report

Safeguarding and planning matters

Officers identified no safeguarding concerns and distinguished planning impacts from care quality, placement and regulatory responsibilities.

“Officers have contacted a number of partners and agencies to establish whether any safeguarding issues were identified while Silver Copse was operating as a children’s home. Several individuals responded by clarifying this information was not held by them, and officers have not had sight of OCC’s FOI response. The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) clarified that the setting was not known to them.”

“In terms of carrying out the local authority’s safeguarding duty, officers have investigated the matter, and identified no safeguarding concerns. The council is aware that the best interests of children is a paramount consideration, although in terms of the planning process it is not the paramount consideration in making a planning assessment; planning judgement plays a key role.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The parish meeting objected, while environmental protection, waste management and highways officers raised no objection after additional information was provided.

“Original response – No objection Anything to do with the children living in the property would be domestic residential waste and therefore we will collect from the bins which we supply. Anything to do with the running of the home, staff waste, and generated as part of business activities will be commercial waste and will need segregating from the residential side. A waste statement will be required confirming what sort of collections will be in place.”

“Updated response (August 2025) – No objection Additional information reviewed: The Mode Transport Technical Note and RKS Road Safety Assessment The highways recommendation remains the same as previous response.”

Officer report

What residents said

Twenty-five representations objected over traffic, road safety, isolation, noise, security, residential character and the loss of a family home.

“Public responses During the consultation process 25 representations were received raising objections to the proposals. Re-consultation: July 2025 Objections maintained Concerns remain as originally set out below. Traffic and road safety Road Safety Assessment, and Mode Transport Technical Note submitted by residents - highway safety associated with A338, dangerous junction, and intensification of vehicle movements associated with a change of use.”

“Inappropriate location Lack of connections to services and facilities Not closely located to a settlement The site is not easily accessible for all members of the community – no pavement on A338, unlit, and poor links to nearest bus stop Change in character The material change in the number of and type of movements associated with the proposed use would result in a significantly increased level of activity, noise and disturbance which would be distinctly different to that of…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two speakers spoke against the application, the agent spoke in support, and the ward member spoke on the application.

What members debated

Members debated isolation, community integration, safeguarding boundaries, traffic, noise, neighbouring residents and the proposed noise management protocol.

“Members sought clarification on the distinction between material planning considerations and matters relating to care provision. Officers reiterated that while safeguarding checks had been undertaken, the committee’s role was to assess the planning impacts of the proposed change of use, such as amenity, parking, privacy, and noise.”

“Concerns were raised about noise disturbance, traffic movements, and loss of residential character, but officers had advised that the impacts would not be significantly greater than those of a large family household. The proposed noise management protocol was considered a key mitigation measure.”

Minutes

The committee vote

A motion to refuse fell, followed by a carried motion to approve subject to the recommended conditions and an amendment to the staff-flat condition.

“A motion, moved and seconded, to refuse the application fell on being put to the vote.”

“A new motion was proposed to approve the application, subject to the conditions set out in the officer’s report, including the amendment to condition 6 to allow the staff flat over the garage to be used by any staff member, not solely the manager. The motion was seconded and opened for further debate.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved with conditions covering the use, plans, noise management, resident numbers, staff accommodation, parking and waste.

“Vale of White Horse District Council - Planning Committee Minutes - Wednesday, 15 October 2025 RESOLVED: to approve planning application P25/V0128/FUL subject to the following conditions:”

“Use to commence within 3 years 2. In accordance with plans 3. Submission of noise management protocol 4. Other than manager and family, maximum number of residents: 4 5. Restriction of use - C2 Children's home 6. Accommodation over garage only to be used by staff members in association with care use, and not as separate residential unit. Parking to be maintained in accordance with plans 8. Waste management statement…”

Minutes