Plans revealed to turn domestic house into small care home

Proposals have been made to use a semi-detached house in Blackpool as a residential home for up to two adults in receipt of care.

A planning application has been submitted to Blackpool Council for a Lawful Development Certificate for the scheme, at a property at 7 Sandon Place, South Shore.

A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is an official legal document from the council, confirming that a building use or development is lawful for planning purposes.

If granted, it proves that the specific work or use cannot face council enforcement action.

A Planning Statement said: “Northwest Youth Services Ltd proposes to use the property as supported living accommodation registered with CQC for a maximum of two young adults with learning disabilities, autism and associated support needs.

“The residents will occupy the dwelling as their permanent home and will live together as a single household.

“Each resident will have their own bedroom while sharing all other facilities including the kitchen, living room, bathrooms and garden.

“The third bedroom will be occupied by an overnight sleep-in support worker. Support will be tailored to each resident’s assessed needs and will focus on promoting independence and enabling residents to live successfully within the community.

“Support may include: medication prompting, budgeting and financial management, meal planning and preparation, shopping and household tasks and accessing education, employment and community activities, as well as emotional support.

“The dwelling will remain the residents’ home and will not operate as a care home, hostel, residential institution or treatment facility.

“Occupation is limited to two residents, considerably below the maximum of six residents permitted within Use Class C3(b).”

The statement says the proposal does not materially alter the planning character of the existing dwellinghouse.

In particular, no physical alterations are proposed and the property will remain visually indistinguishable from neighbouring houses.

There will be no commercial signage, no reception or administrative office and no members of the public will visit the property as part of its operation.

Staffing will comprise daytime support together with one overnight sleep-in worker, while vehicle movements will remain comparable to those associated with a typical family home.

The statement concluded: “The proposed supported living accommodation has been designed to retain the character and appearance of a private dwellinghouse.

“The scale of occupation, staffing arrangements and day-to-day operation are not expected to give rise to any material impact on neighbouring residential amenity or alter the established residential character of the surrounding area.”