Agenda item

TWC/2021/1051 41 & 42 Attwood Terrace, Dawley, Telford, Shropshire, TF4 2HH

Minutes:

This application was for a change of use from 2no. dwellings (use class C3) into 1no. residential institution (use class C2) including the erection of a single storey rear extension at 41 & 42 Attwood Terrace, Dawley, Telford, Shropshire, TF4 2HH.

 

This application was before Committee at the request of Councillor A Burford.

 

The Planning Officer informed Member that the application was to accommodate up to four children between the ages of eight and eighteen who needed a period of care and would be staffed on a one to one basis 24 hours a day with a manager on site during the day.  It was proposed that there be a single storey rear extension and alterations to the front garden in order to offer additional off-street parking and that any consent would subject to conditions.

 

Councillor A Burford, Ward Councillor, spoke on behalf of local residents who raised concerns regarding potential noise and disturbance, increased traffic flow in a quiet residential street, staff numbers and visitors to the property and staff meetings.  It was asked that the applicants consider the strength of feeling of local residents and consider building bridges with local people if approved and that supervision and tight monitoring of the property be sustained.

 

Ms M Hunt, a member of the public, spoke in her capacity as a resident and not as a Parish Councillor and raised concerns regarding the parking and highway impact, safety requirements such as fire safety, referrals by social services and if this would be limited to Telford and Wrekin Council or would include other Local Authorities.  It was felt that more information was required in relation to the company running the facility and its credentials, numbers of staff, particularly overnight, the access to the manager, the company HQ and the removal of two houses from a residential street.

 

The Area Team Planning Manager informed Members that the development would be subject to building regulations in respect of fire safety standards and that being a residential care home the regulations were higher with the installation of fire doors and fire alarms.  The Fire Authority were consulted on the application and have commented.  Residents would be refereed by Telford & Wrekin Social Services only.  Planning Permission went with the land rather than the company and it was outside of the planning remit to comment on the company, its head office or staff.  This was specialist housing and was under Policy HO7 of the Local Plan and there was a shortage of this type of housing facility.  There was no negative impact on local amenity and eight off-road parking spaces were being provided.

 

During the debate some Members felt that there was no reason to object to the application. Other Members felt that there could be issues with parking which would block the bus route and interference with the amenity of local residents, noise and disturbance and visits from services such as the Police to deal with incidents.  It was asked if there was anything the Local Authority could do if the company was unsuitable.  Some Members felt that they fully supported the children being placed within the community and that there were rigorous checks but raised concerns regarding staffing, staff meetings and parking.

 

The Area Planning Manager informed Members that the applicant currently occupied the residence and that a landlord could give notice but that this was not a planning consideration.  Children would be placed by Telford & Wrekin Social Services would and that the premises would be monitored by them and they would also be subject to Ofsted inspection.  These in turn work with the local Police.  Staff meetings could be held at the premises and it would be difficult to refuse on highways grounds. There was no controls in place at the moment on the two private houses.  Staff meetings could alternatively take place virtually.

 

The Development Management Service Delivery Manager informed Members that they were considering land usage and that who ran the business was not under the Planning Committee remit.  It was suggested that a condition was added in order to control the operation of the premises with regard to staff numbers, shift patterns and change over times.

 

Upon being put to the vote it was, by a majority:-

 

RESOLVED – that Delegated Authority be granted to the Development Management Service Delivery Manager to grant full planning permission (with the authority to finalise any matter including conditions) subject to the condition contained within the report, together with an additional condition to control the operation of the premises in respect of staff numbers, shift patterns and change over times.

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