Children's home plans refused over crime concerns

A decision on the plans was deferred in May

Controversial plans for a new children’s home have been refused over antisocial behaviour concerns.

Durham County Council's planning committee voted against a recommendation to approve the "crisis centre" facility in Bowburn.

Local residents had said their lives had been impacted by antisocial behaviour and disorder incidents linked to the property.

But applicant Lee Sowerby, of Juniper Care and Support, said residents' concerns were "entirely anecdotal".

Mr Sowerby had applied for the home to operate for up to three years and house two children aged between 8-17.

The property was already in use as an unregulated crisis arrangement service, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Mr Sowerby said his company had cared for three children since February 2023, with one child currently under their care.

However, residents claimed it had been operating without permission.

'Ill thought-out'

The decision on the plans was deferred in May after crime figures were requested from the police.

Durham Constabulary said it received five reports of antisocial behaviour on the estate between 2021 and 2024, but none related to the host property.

Other reported incidents relating to the management and safeguarding of children at the property reduced from 54 in 2023 to 10 so far in 2024.

Sarah Wilkinson, speaking on behalf of campaigners, said residents had been concerned by repeated police visits and the location was not "suitable" for a children's home.

Councillor Gary Hutchinson, of Bowburn ward, questioned whether Juniper Care hoped to continue operating the facility "under the radar".

The independent councillor said: "It’s not the children that the residents have an issue with, it’s Juniper Care, and their ill-thought-out choice of location and their poor management of the site and disregard for the community."

'Entirely anecdotal'

But Mr Sowerby told the committee that every police visit was not because a crime was committed.

"The concerns raised by residents are entirely anecdotal," he said.

"We’re not running an illegal service, we’re directed by the local authority to care for children.

"Safeguarding our children is our most significant priority."

But when asked why he submitted the planning application after it opened, Mr Sowerby said: "It’s the correct and appropriate way to do it."

He was supported by councillor Douglas Oliver, Conservative, who praised the service Juniper Care provided and pointed to a similar facility in his council ward.

But councillor Angela Surtees, Labour, who led a vote to refuse the application, said she was "not convinced" it was "the right community" for the care home.

The application was refused by seven votes to three.