Councillors have approved plans for a children’s care home in Rixton.
An application proposing the change of use of The Oaks, on Holly Bush Lane, from a dwelling house to a children’s care home came before the development management committee on Thursday.
As recommended, it was approved subject to conditions.
According to a report to the committee, the application relates to a large, four-bedroom detached house which has been extended ‘substantially’ over time with single-storey extensions on three sides and a detached garage within the grounds.
The application was publicised by eight neighbour notification letters and by a site notice.
A total of 13 letters of objection had been received from neighbouring properties as a result of the initial publicity given to the application. One further letter had been received as a result of the re-notification.
The points made, as summarised in the report, included that the site is not suitable for a care home use for a number of reasons, including that Holly Bush Lane is an ‘unlit, narrow rural road with deep ditches along the side’, and it has no pavement and is frequently used by large agricultural vehicles ‘meaning it is unsuitable for pedestrians’.
Other points made included that the shifts of the carers would mean that traffic movements ‘disrupt local residents at unsociable hours’, the care home would result in ‘noise pollution from the nature of the residents and increased traffic’, and the junction of Holly Bush Lane with the A57 is ‘very dangerous’.
Ward councillor Rob Tynan and Rixton-with-Glazebrook Parish Council had also objected.
During the meeting, committee member Cllr Janet Henshaw highlighted a paragraph in the report about anti-social behaviour – with this paragraph stating ‘many of the representations raise concern about anti-social behaviour increasing in connection with the proposed children’s home’.
Cllr Henshaw said: “This seems to get raised every time there’s a children’s home application, concerns about anti-social behaviour, and it’s almost an assumption that because children are in care that they’re a risk – and that isn’t necessarily the case at all.
“I feel officers have covered every eventuality in these conditions, so I would move that we accept this.”
The report to the committee said: “The application site lies within open countryside to the east of Warrington, which is designated as green belt.
“The property is one of a small cluster of residential dwellings located close to the junction of Holly Bush Lane with the A57 Manchester Road.
“The home would be operated by the ‘Care 4 Every Child’ company. The application property would provide accommodation for up to four children, aged between eight and 18, supported by three care staff between 7:30am to 11.00pm and two care staff overnight.”
The report to the committee also said the proposed change of use of the dwelling house to a children’s care home is considered to be ‘acceptable’ in principle, subject to a condition to restrict 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 or the surrounding area,” it added.
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