Major update on plans for children’s home on residential street

A care provider has launched an appeal after an application for a change of use from a private house to a small children’s home in Thornton home was refused by Wyre planners.

The planning officer had considered that the application by Aspirer Care, for a small children’s home for no more than two children in a detached property on Myrtle Avenue, was acceptable in principle and should be approved.

But when the proposals went before Wyre’s planning committee, councillors voted against it.

Now Aspirer Care is challenging that decision by the committee, stating that the original points raised by the planning officer were valid.

At the meeting in June, councillors heard that 29 public objections were lodged by residents, the primary concerns being over fears of increased parking pressure, increased traffic movements on a quiet residential street, potential obstruction to emergency vehicles and the impact on the quiet residential character of the area.

The application was brought to the committee by Pheasants Wood member, Cllr Andrea Kay, who raised concerns over those issues.

Councilllors went against the recommendations of the planning officer and refused the plans.

Following the planning meeting, the Assistant Director of Planning and Building Control stated: “The intensification of staff and visitor movements to and from the site on a regular and frequent basis, would result in an unacceptable impact on neighbouring amenity in terms of noise and disturbance.

“The vehicles associated with the proposal and inadequate parking within the site would result in an increase of on street parking which would result in harm to highway amenity. This is contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework and Policies of the Adopted Wyre Local Plan 2011-2031.”

However, a statement of appeal on behalf of Aspirer Care, has now been submitted to Wyre Council and says: “The reason for refusal alleges that the frequency and pattern of staff and visitor movements would result in unacceptable noise and disturbance to neighbouring residents.

“This conclusion is not supported by the actual scale or operating model of the proposal. Policy CDMP3 requires development not to have an unacceptably adverse impact on the amenity of occupants and users of surrounding or nearby properties.

“The proposal satisfies that test. It is a small home for no more than two children within a detached dwelling, with a structured rota, planned handovers, managed professional visits and clear management oversight.”

After a planning appeal is submitted, the Planning Inspectorate validates the appeal and appoints an independent planning inspector to review the case. The procedure then follows one of three tracks: written representations (the most common), an informal hearing, or a formal public inquiry.

Following the review and a site visit, the inspector will issue a final, binding decision.