Care home which prompted online debate approved

The care home will provide a "family" environment for up to two young people between the ages of 2 and 18

Plans for a new children's home in Shropshire which prompted a debate on social media have been approved.

The public gallery was empty at the Telford & Wrekin Council meeting on Wednesday, despite a large number of people commenting on the plans beforehand on Facebook.

Care company iNKFISH filed a change of use application to convert a five-bed property in Teagues Crescent, Trench, from a house to a small children's home.

Independent councillor Peter Scott told the planning committee: "What's the problem? This is ideal. No one's come to speak here. 71 people commented on Facebook, where are they?"

Officials said they only considered comments made during the application process, not on Facebook.

The home would be suitable for up to two young people aged from eight to 18, according to the plans.

It would have two full-time staff members and one manager, and provide children with medium to long-term residential accommodation.

The committee said they had received eight objections and two letters of support.

People raised concerns the home would change the dynamic of the area and that house prices would be devalued, as well as fears over antisocial behaviour.

Labour councillor John Thompson, the only member of the planning committee to vote against the plan, said there had been problems at other similar homes in the area.

"I'm just hoping that these concerns can be sorted," he said.

Members of the committee said the applicant was looking to provide a "family home" to the young people in its care, rather than institutional settings.

They added: "This approach is also favoured by the statutory regulator, Ofsted, who has been encouraging providers to move away from the more traditional institutional model, having recognised that 'institutionalised' persons can then have difficulty transitioning effectively to independent living and the workplace."

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