An application to change a four-bedroom home into a children’s care home was given the green light by the council.
The applicant, Panacea Children’s Services, applied for planning permission for the homes” target=”_blank”>house on France Street in Daisy Hill.
There was a lot of opposition in the form of almost 20 objections to the application to change a four-bedroom home into a children’s care home for up to two children and two staff members around the clock.
The objections were for reasons ranging from an increase in anti-social behaviour to an increase in problem parking.
One of the directors of Panacea Children’s Services, Elizabeth Hiley, appealed to the planning committee at a meeting at the town hall this month.
Ms Hiley said: “I have worked in children’s care homes for 18 years and I have worked always in ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ children’s care homes.
“The aim of the application is to support children in the community with access to local schools and local services supporting them and their relationships with their families and their friends.”
A report recommended the approval of the application and the council’s children’s services was also supportive of it saying the site was a “safe and suitable” one with “no significant risks”.
It was given the green light as a result of a unanimous vote.
Cllr Roger Hayes, who represents Smithills, said: “This provider seems to be a very, very good provider and I think this is worthy of approval.”
Cllr Rob Morrisey, of Breightmet, said: “Wherever there are children’s care homes there are complaints around children in care and what it is going to lead to but the application is a detached dwelling with a lot of parking and with one child to one staff member so I think it is a great application.”
The next meeting of the planning committee is in the New Year.
This article is by Jack Tooth. He is available at jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk.