Plans for Denaby Main children's home paused over safety fears

Councillors said they will visit the site before making a decision

Plans for a children's home have been put on hold over concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour.

Friends Together Care Homes want to convert a property in Denaby Main, to house children aged nine to 18.

Doncaster Council's planning committee deferred a decision on granting permission after hearing several objections, including fears children could be exposed to danger and gangs.

The applicant said measures would be taken to mitigate risk an the site.

Conisbrough councillor Nigel Ball told the panel there had been several incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

He expressed concern that young residents could be exposed to danger and influenced into taking part in gang activity.

He also stated that a previous children's home only 500 metres away was closed two years prior due to anti-social behaviour in the area.

As well as his concerns, six members of the public also submitted letters of opposition to the proposal, with several echoing Mr Ball's worries.

Concerns were also raised over potential loss of privacy to neighbours, noise, parking issues and anti-social behaviour from the residents themselves.

If the plans were to go ahead, care staff would be on-site at all times and sleep in a fourth bedroom, although they would not live in the property, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A risk assessment conducted by Friends Together Care Homes also stated that crime data concluded a medium risk for gang activity and violent crime in the area.

A representative of the applicant stated that several safety measures will be brought in, such as high security on the site.

At the end of the meeting, councillors agreed to visit the site and seek opinion from additional council officers before making a decision.