'Short breaks' disabled care centre approved

Red Gables will care for up to five children at any one time

Plans for a care facility supporting disabled children and their families have been given the green light.

Sunderland City Council approved plans for a new care centre at Red Gables, a five-bedroom detached property in East Rainton, near Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland.

The city's only respite care facility previously - Grace House - was lost last November.

The replacement at Red Gables will care for up to five children aged between five and 17 and could potentially open in spring 2026.

The total cost to buy and adapt the building is estimated at £1.7m, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Plans for the facility were resubmitted in August after initial proposals faced questions over the ownership of part of the land.

The fresh application attracted 48 objections over the location and noise concerns.

However, more than 15 representations were also received in support, saying the plans would be "an asset to the community".

'Controlled environment'

Families had faced round trips of up 80 miles (129km) for overnight respite care after Grace House stopped providing the service.

Parent Pamela Mann said it was "distressing and offensive" for families to read some objections, including one comment which alleged the development would be a "social experiment".

She added: "Our families wish no disrespect towards the residents of this area and understand your right to object and your concerns.

“However, we would rather you base your objections on fact rather than misconception.

"What appears to be imagined for this facility couldn’t be further from the truth.

"It is not a commercial industrial-sized care home and it can’t be stated that this house is not fit for purpose when no evidence is given."

'Owner unknown'

Simon Marshall, interim chief executive of Together for Children and council director of children’s services, said Red Gables would be a "controlled environment" with "experienced staff".

The facility would have a staff team of 29 people but only eight staff would be on-site at any one time.

"I think it’s obvious that we need to get something up and operating as quickly as we can," Mr Marshall said.

Councillors heard the initial planning application for Red Gables was withdrawn because the local authority did not own a "small parcel of land within the application site".

There had been attempts to find the owner(s) but it was noted no-one had come forward and that the land was classified as "unregistered with the owner unknown".