Children's home plan approved

The children's home would have space for up to four children

Plans to turn a house into a children’s home have been given the green light amid concerns over anti-social behaviour.

Councillors voted to approve the proposal to convert the semi-detached property in Cheylesmore, Coventry, into a care home for up to four children.

It came after more than 100 people signed a petition opposing the scheme, which raised fears over traffic and parking plus potential disturbance to neighbours.

A representative of the applicant said the children should not be automatically viewed as a threat and said the plans met parking standards.

During a Coventry City Council planning committee hearing on the matter, councillor Kevin Maton said he found it difficult to see how the proposal was any different from anybody else wanting to live in the house.

Some members of the public, though, took a different view, with one mother-of-two telling the meeting: “The children from the care homes, they’re children that have not had the easiest start in life. We are worried that they might have problems with managing their emotions, managing their behaviour.”

She added that she was worried about anti-social behaviour and that her children might witness “aggression” and “a lot of bad language”.

Another resident claimed the development would harm the “quiet enjoyment” of the area for locals and said a care home in a semi-detached property seemed “inappropriate” given its closeness to other homes.

But an agent speaking on behalf of applicant Mrs S K Bath told the meeting on 23 May that comings and goings would be “no more than a typical family dwelling”.

He said the home’s use would be regulated, there would be trained support workers and it would have to follow strict guidance from Ofsted.

“Children who will live in the home need a safe and secure community, and should not automatically be viewed as a threat,” he added.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.