A converted barn on the edge of an East Lancashire town has been earmarked for a small children's home.

All As One Children's Care Ltd wants to convert Middle Horden Barn in Broken Stone Road, Blackburn, in the latest small children's home application to be submitted in the borough.

The firm proposes to turn the property in Feniscowles into a residential home for a maximum of three children, with two carers sleeping overnight, working on a rota basis.

It has applied for a certificate of lawful use for the change to Blackburn with Darwen Council.

A supporting statement from the Urban Future Planning Consultancy Ltd says: "The application property comprises a two-storey (including attic accommodation) stone-built barn conversion,

"The property features a very large rear garden (over 60 metres long), and off-road parking for several vehicles to the front with an electric vehicle charging point.

"It is intended the application property will accommodate up to three children alongside two dedicated carers who will be present at all times on a rota basis.

"The carers will be engaged with the young people in the same domestic routines, tasks and social activities which you would expect in a family home and therefore the bathroom, kitchen and living areas will be communal and each child will have their own bedroom.

"The applicant intends to use the property to accommodate up to three children aged seven to 14 years in social care who will reside on a permanent basis at the property.

"The dwelling will be used for permanent placements only and will be ‘home’ to the young people concerned (i.e. not for respite or emergency care orders).

"The applicant seeks to provide a normal domestic environment for children who are unable to live with their families.

"Typically, children are placed with them by a local authority children's services department.

"The organisation is committed to a small home care philosophy, with a maximum of four children per home.

"Each home is carefully selected to ensure that the host community and the environment are nurturing and welcoming to young people.

"The property does not require significant adaptation because it is the intention to provide a normal home environment.

"There would no be features associated with an institutionalised care home such as locked doors, fire alarms and specific rules or notice boards.

"Children live a normal family life as a single household: they go to school, play in the garden and take part in activities outside the home in the same way as children living in a domestic household."