Councillors have approved plans for a new residential children’s care home in Fearnhead despite concerns.

An application proposing the change of use of number 1 St Bridget’s Close, from a dwelling to a residential children’s care home, came before the development management committee at its meeting on Thursday.

It was approved, subject to conditions.

Cllr Judith Wheeler said: “I appreciate there’s a lot of concern from neighbours about possible anti-social behaviour, but if you live on a private residential development you cannot choose your neighbours.

“While this might not be acceptable to the neighbours, at least there is some degree of control because of the nature of what is being proposed, and I’m sure that doesn’t give any consolation, but you just can’t choose your neighbours.”

Cllr Janet Henshaw said: “I just wanted to say that I don’t think any of us can make an assumption that just because children are children in the care system that there will necessarily be problems with anti-social behaviour.”

According to a report to the committee, the dwelling is situated in an established residential area and the property has a rear garden and benefits from parking for two vehicles on a gravel area at the front of the house, with a further two spaces on an existing paved driveway at the side of the dwelling.

The proposal was put forward by iCare Solutions, a registered care provider for children aged 0-18.

It was proposed that the site will provide 24-hour supervised care and accommodation for up to three young people between the ages of six and 17 who require residential care.

A total of 14 individual neighbour consultations were carried out – while 29 letters of objection have been received as a result of the publicity given to the application.

Reasons for objection based on material planning grounds include, as summarised, concerns about ‘noise and disturbance of staff and visitor comings and goings’, concerns about ‘noise levels of the cared for children’, concerns that volume of waste will cause ‘environmental issues’, there being no space to park on the road in this area and it would increase on-street parking, it being an ‘unsuitable location’ and will worsen existing problems with ‘inconsiderate parking’, and the public consultation process not including enough residents.

In the report to the committee, it said the proposed change of use of a dwelling to a residential children’s care home is considered to be acceptable in principle, subject to a condition to restrict the specific use and the number of children to that proposed.

“It has been adequately demonstrated that the home would be operated to mitigate any impact on the amenity of neighbouring occupiers and the surrounding area and the proposal would not adversely affect the highway network,” it added.