Issue - meetings

This was an application for a change of use from a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a three-bed residential care home (Use Class C2) at Kensington, 69 New Church Road, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 1JE.  This application was in a sustainable location and would provide a family home for three young persons aged 7-17 years in the care of the applicant in a family setting.  Minor internal adaptations would be required to the property.

Councillor L Carter, Ward Member, had requested that the application be determined by the Planning Committee.

Councillor Carter, Ward Member, expressed that he took his role as corporate parent extremely seriously, but spoke against the application on behalf of residents and in the absence of Councillor A McClements who was unable to attend the meeting.  He queried the validity of some of the support for the application as these had come from outside of the borough and some had connections with the care company and potentially financial beneficiaries.  Although he was aware they were not effectively material considerations, he noted that the property was currently back on the market and questioned their applicant’s ownership of the property.  Concern was raised that the property could become a HMO in the future and the change of use would be significantly out of character for the area which was mainly residential and could lead to issues of antisocial behaviour.  Highway safety was also questioned at the junction of New Church Road and Holyhead Road, particularly at school times.

Mr P Berry, member of the public, spoke against the application which was set in an attractive part of Wellington.  The proposed demolition of the brick garage and the tarmac open front with marked bays would present the premises as a business.  There was no evidence of site selection and the property had open site access to the frontage and it was queried if this would be compatible and secure with the mental health needs of the children.  Residents asked for reassurance on whether the unit would be secure if children could come and go as they pleased and raised concerns with regard to the meaning of “family home”, absconding and the availability of drugs to vulnerable young people.  Concerns were also raised in relation to highways and parking and whether this was the correct location.  The council’s mission statement was to care, protect and invest in the borough but they also had a duty to local residents, business and charities.  These were compelling reasons for the application to be refused. 

Mr A Dallison, Applicant’s Agent, spoke in favour of the application which would be a safe and nurturing home for vulnerable children who had been placed in care.  It provided an opportunity for a family-style home for three children which the statutory regulator, Ofsted, were now favouring and moving away from institutional care.  The Minister for Housing had said the planning system should not be a barrier to provide for the most vulnerable children in society and they should brought  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7