Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to planning application 26/0580/COU Site Address: 10 Dryden Close, Billingham 

Planning permission was sought for change of use from dwellinghouse (C3) to residential care home (C2) for up to three children aged between 8 and 18.

The application related to a detached four-bedroom residential property in Billingham within the defined settlement limits close to facilities such as schools and thereby drew support from Local Plan Policies. 

The proposal would provide accommodation for up to three children within a domestic setting, consistent with the objectives of the NPPF in promoting inclusive, safe and healthy communities

The application had been assessed and whilst acknowledging the concerns raised by local residents, the proposals would see the creation of a children’s home where the operator would work with the Children’s services team to offer places first for children in the care of Stockton.

Therefore, on balance, it was considered that the development would not result in any significant conflict with the policies of the Local Plan or relevant chapters of the NPPF and there were no technical reasons why the proposed scheme would be deemed unacceptable in planning terms in which to justify refusal of the application.

The application was referred to Members of the Planning Committee in line with the councils scheme of delegation due to the number of objections which had been received.

The consultees that had been notified and the comments that had been received were detailed within the main report.

Neighbours were notified and the comments received were detailed within the main report.

The Planning Officers report concluded that taking all matters into account, and subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions, the proposed development accorded with Policies SD1, SD8, H4 and TI1 of the Stockton-on-Tees Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

For the reasons outlined within the officers report, it was recommended that the application be approved with conditions for the reasons as detailed within the main report.

Objectors attended the meeting and were given the opportunity to make representation. Their comments could be summarised as follows:

- Concerns were raised that the proposal would conflict with Policy SD8 relating to community safety and crime prevention. Objectors argued that the development had not been sufficiently designed to minimise opportunities for crime and disorder and that the proposed use would introduce institutional characteristics into what is currently a quiet residential cul-de-sac.

- Residents expressed concerns regarding the lack of physical separation or buffering between the property and neighbouring homes and questioned whether adequate consideration had been given to noise, disturbance and the impact on residential amenity.

- It was emphasised that residents objections were not directed at the children who may occupy the property, but rather at what they considered to be the commercial nature of the operation. It was argued that the proposal would effectively change a family dwelling into a business use operating on a 24-hour basis.

- Residents questioned whether a children's care home could genuinely operate in the same manner as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41