Children's home in residential cul-de-sac approved

A five-bedroom home in a cul-de-sac will be turned into a small children's home despite objections from residents.

West Northamptonshire Council approved the proposal to transform a home in Blossac Court, Duston, Northampton, into a residence that would care for three vulnerable children aged five to 18.

The conversion, put forward by applicant Neil Verlander, received 76 objections from members of the public and there were calls at the planning meeting for its refusal.

In planning papers, the applicant Mr Verlander said the new home would be a "nurturing, warm and welcoming" environment for vulnerable young people.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, many objections have arisen from the perceived threat to the noise levels, parking issues and disturbances to other homes' amenity.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, social worker Kelly McFayden said: "I do understand, having looked at all of the feedback, that people are frightened about who's going to live next door- if they're going to be young offenders, if they're going to bring antisocial behaviour.

"We get to choose the young people and children that we offer opportunity to."

The council's highways team also did not raise any objections to the number of parking spaces provided, stating that the four driveway spaces would be able to accommodate all staff members and would not have a significant impact on the local highway network.

The committee unanimously voted to approve the application last week, in line with the officer's recommendation.

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