Agenda and draft minutes

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To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 November 2025.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 November 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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Please note that the order in which applications are heard may be changed at the meeting.  If Members have queries about any of the applications, they are requested to raise them with the relevant Planning Officer prior to the Committee meeting.

Members had received a schedule of planning applications to be determined by the Committee and fully considered each report.

This was an application for a change of use of dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to residential home for up to 2no children (Use Class C2) at 22 Bridle Walk, Donnington, Telford, Shropshire, TF2 7SJ.

This application had been deferred at the meeting of the Committee on 12 November 2025 to enable Members to undertake a site visit.

A site visit took place on the afternoon prior to the meeting.

Councillor O Vickers, spoke on behalf of the Parish Council and the residents of Donnington who understood the need for a good decent home for children, but raised concerns in relation to the suitability of the property, standard of care, lack of parking, arrival and departure times of staff, professionals and family members at regular times which would exacerbate the current parking difficulties.  He asked that the Committee refuse the application.

Mr S Pierce, member of public, spoke against the application and raised concerns regarding the unsuitability of use class C2 and felt this was driven by investment rather than care.  He raised further concerns regarding the true pattern of the on street parking and the precedent that would be set for such use on a cul de sac, the antisocial behaviour and the risk of absconding, the commercial frontage of the premises, round the clock care and change over patters in relation to noise from car alarms, doors and windows.  He considered that children needed to be in a safe and secure home but this was not a suitable property.   

Mr A Blake, Applicant, spoke in favour of the application which would be a care home for two children with disabilities and would provide the young people the opportunity to unlock their potential.  The property would not be suitable for wheelchair users.  The company was not new to Telford and had not had complaints and had care homes in various locations within the borough.  He understood the concerns of the community but advised that there were four weekly inspections and unannounced inspections made by Ofsted.  Community liaison was important and he would work with the local community with any feedback. 

The Planning Officer informed Members that this application was for a childrens care home for up to two children with two staff and a manager present.  There would be a staggered changeover pattern being 6.30am and 7am and 6.30pm and 7pm in order to limit car movements.  Policy HO7 supported sustainable development which related well to the local context.  The scale, design and form was highly sustainable and the Commissioning Team had raised no objections.  Amended plans had been submitted in relation to parking and the vehicle arrangements would be in character with nearby properties.  Highway Officers supported the application and the Applicant had made a commitment to ensure that parking was monitored and that spaces were utilised in order to prevent on street parking.  The fallback position was that the premises could be occupied by two adults and four to six children on which the Council would have no  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC61a

This application was for the change of use of a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a small children’s residential care facility (Use Class C2), installation of 1no. window on the first floor north east elevation and creation of an extended driveway and vehicular access at 10 Emral Rise, Dothill, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 3LG.

The application had been called in by Councillor K Tomlinson, Ward Councillor and there had been a notable number of objections received.

Councillor K Tomlinson, Ward Councillor, spoke against the application and raised concerns regarding the lack of transparency, the application was contrary to Policy HO7 in relation to specialist housing, lack of outdoor space and the national guidance for dwellings, lack of parking impeded by bins and the lamp post, the bike store and the lack of access to the rear of the property.  She raised further concerns in relation to the number of errors within the documentation, design and access, impact on the highways and the neighbourhood plan, the business plan, safeguarding, the operational statement and staff rotas.

Ms N Pitchford, member of the public, spoke against the application and considered that the application was contrary to Policy HO7 and raised concerns in relation to it being a suitable location, staff rotas, highways impact, parking, safety and access, professional visitors increasing the number of vehicles parking on the street and it was unlikely that staff would travel by bicycle or on foot.  She considered that the amendments to the application did not address the fundamental issues and that it would cause harm and disruption and she requested that members refuse the application.

Mr L Jinks, Wellington Town Council, endorsed the comments of the previous speakers and reported that there had been over 50 objections to the application.  She raised concerns regarding the lack of traffic assessment, retrospective planning permission, technical issues which included overlooking the neighbour, the change of use to a commercial property in a residential area that housed maturing families who used mobility scooters, frames and assistance dogs, parking and antisocial behaviour.  It was recognised that children have to live somewhere in safety, but she felt that this was not the appropriate accommodation for this purpose.

Mr Madumere, Applicant, spoke in favour of the application and sought to allay the residents concerns.  Parking spaces would increase for four cars and the highways authority had deemed this sufficient.  There had been changes to the staff rota.  Work was undertaken to ensure that the children on site would blend to fit the local area and would be a stepping stone for the children to return to their family or until they were able to leave.  There were no changes to the premises and the window would be obscured to prevent any overlooking.  Their focus was on the local community it was not about profit and it was the intention to raise children within the community to live independent lives.

The Planning Officer set out that the application was within an existing four bedroomed house and  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC61b