Blackburn with Darwen Council has blocked a proposal to convert a terraced bungalow into a small care home for two children.
The application for a Certificate of Lawful Development (CLD) – which would have confirmed that the proposed change of use complied with planning rules without the need for full planning permission – was submitted on behalf of Unified Welfare Ltd.
United Care Home proposal
Unified Welfare had sought to transform 42 Fore Street in Lower Darwen into a care home for a maximum of two children. The proposal also outlined that two carers, working on a rota basis, would sleep overnight at the property with the children.
However, Blackburn with Darwen Council refused to issue a CLD, ruling that the proposed application ‘represents a material change of use’ and would require ‘full planning permission’.
In their full report, the planning officer noted that, ‘two objections have been received, summarised as: increased traffic, inadequate parking, increased noise, strain on local resources, safeguarding concern, impact of child well-being, lack of consultation, and no crossing points across main road for children or pedestrian safety.’
Akin to a normal family house?
In their supporting statement to the application, Unified Welfare asserted, ‘that accommodation would be akin to a family dwelling, with the exception that carers would be non-resident and unrelated to the children.’
However, this was directly refuted in the planning officer’s report, which stated, ‘through close liaison with the council’s children’s services team, it is disputed that a children’s home would not be materially different to a typical family home, with regards external vehicular activity.’
But there is space for parking and no external alterations are planned
Unified Welfare, whose stated aim is to provide a home environment that is loving, healthy, happy, and safe from harm – where children can develop, thrive, and fulfil their potential – will surely be disappointed by the outcome.
In their original application Unified Welfare made sure to address any potential concerns around parking, stating ‘the property has parking to the front and side with sufficient parking for at least four cars.’ Unified Welfare further explained that no external alterations to the building are proposed and that ‘the internal layout (of the property) will remain largely unchanged with one bedroom becoming an office room, but the remaining four staying as bedrooms.’
The council has made similar decisions in the past, with reason
This is not the first time the council has taken such a stance. Just last month, Blackburn with Darwen Council similarly refused to issue a CLD for another proposed care home, and last year the council refused another planning application for a care home, this one for small children. In those casse as in this one, the council ruled that the conversion of a residential dwelling into a care home constituted a material change of use requiring a full planning application.
In the council’s defence though, their regulations do say that change of a residential property into a care property requires planning permission for change of use and not just for alterations to a property (care homes are government funded so come under a different category).
Based on an LDRS press release for the BBC, by Bill Jacobs
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