Children’s care home at 29 Rigley Potts Park, Hindley Green, Wigan

“Development Proposed: Continued use of property as a children’s care home (Class C2) for one child, incorporating minor material changes to the operational details of the use allowed under Lawful Development Certificate A/24/96709/LUCP (Retrospective application).”

“This application is submitted retrospectively for the continued use of the property as a children’s care home (Planning Use Class C2) for one child. It incorporates minor, but material, changes to the operational details previously considered under Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) reference ‘A/24/96709/LUCP’ for such a use to operate…”

“Overall, Officers assess that the proposal accords with the core principles and social objectives of sustainable development in the NPPF, and is compliant with NPPF paragraphs 60, 61 and 62, Core Strategy Policies CP6, CP7, CP10 and CP17, PfE Policies JP‑H3 and JP‑P6, and ACT Neighbourhood Plan Policies RD1 and TM1. Approval is therefore recommended by Officers subject to the completion of the Section 106 obligation outlined and the conditions set out in the schedule below.”

“Children and Families Service support the proposal for the continued use of the property as a Class C2 children’s care home for one child. They confirm that the use aligns with Wigan Council’s Sufficiency Strategy 2025–2028 and their statutory duties under the Children Act 1989 to provide sufficient local accommodation for cared‑for children. The home provides Ofsted‑registered accommodation for a child aged 7–17 with mild to moderate learning difficulties.”

“The Service considers that the proposal will contribute to local sufficiency by enabling children to remain within their communities and access local education, health and support services. They also highlight recent improvements in the utilisation of existing provision for Wigan children, rising from 28% to 32% over the past 12 months (at the time of commenting on this application), and confirm that improving local sufficiency remains a key priority.”

“- Regular vehicle movements to and from the property which utilities a significant amount of on-street parking to service several other homes and blocking driveways. - Despite assurances in the original planning application that there would only be two vehicles, there are 4-5 vehicles present. - Doubling the number of staff with visitors will increase the number of vehicles and noise levels, leading to an intensification of use beyond what was initially approved.”

“- Crucial that a full transparent assessment of the impacts on residents is conducted as without this, support cannot be considered adequate, fair or justified. - As Wigan Council do not offer a trade waste disposal service, confirmation is requested that the property has an appropriate Waste Transfer Agreement with a registered waste contractor in place. - Objections to a further children’s care home at no. 22 Rigley Potts Park.”

“The home is currently occupied and the needs of the child in placement are known. Following the earlier LDC, Ofsted, the body responsible for registration and oversight, identified that increased staffing levels were required for the needs of the child.”

“In consideration of the above matters, and taking account of the property’s detached form, single‑child occupancy, staff‑managed routines, on‑plot parking, and the proposed conditions/management plan, it is reasonable for Officers to conclude that the use will not result in unacceptable harm to the amenity of neighbouring residents through noise, disturbance, or associated activity.”

“Within one month of the date of this decision, and notwithstanding the details hereby approved, a Management Plan for the hereby approved use shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.”