Bungalow to be turned into children's care home

This bungalow in Hunsbury will be turned into a children's home after plans were approved

A bungalow in a residential cul-de-sac will be turned into a children's home despite objections from neighbours, a local authority said.

West Northamptonshire Council has given Tanac Ltd approval to repurpose a property in Whaddon Close, Hunsbury, Northampton, which is currently a residential home.

Under the plans, the property will become accommodation for up to two children aged between seven and 17.

The Reform UK-led council received 28 objections to the proposal, including from West Hunsbury Parish Council.

Sue Purcell, who lives in the area, told a planning meeting on Thursday that "the bottom of a small, tight cul-de-sac" was not the right location for the home.

She raised concerns about parking provision and extra traffic, adding: "Two spaces will not cover the carers coming in to do handovers, or visitors, or suppliers and deliveries.

"We have nothing against children being housed in the community in a stable, loving environment, but we don't believe that's the right place."

The area was described as a "small, tight cul-de-sac" not suitable for a children's home

The accommodation would be run as a "conventional home" with children attending school during the day, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Staff will be on site 24-hours a day, each working 12-hour shifts, with one worker on "waking night" duty and another on "sleep-in" to cover overnight.

Only approved professionals and designated family members would be permitted to visit the home by appointment only.

Pinder Chauhan, a Hunsbury parish councillor, told the meeting the change of use would "disturb the right to peace and privacy" in the neighbourhood and "open the floodgate" for similar applications.

"This is a quiet suburban area which is not suited to young vulnerable adults with additional needs," she added.

'Nothing out of the ordinary'

The property has a paved area for off-road parking for two to three cars, and the local highways authority raised no objections to the change of use.

Ronald Firman, a Reform UK councillor at the local authority, said the location was not suitable due to a lack of amenities in the area for children and potential issues with extra vehicles.

Council officers, however, suggested the proposed new use "would not be dissimilar to that of a typical family household that could reside in the property".

Adrian Cartwright, a Reform UK councillor and planning committee member, added the parking needs generated from the children's home would be "nothing out of the ordinary".

"We need this and, as corporate parents, we should be looking for this," he added.