Proposals to turn a suburban house into a care home for up to four children are set for approval despite a senior councillor's concerns.

Hyndburn Council planning committee has been recommended to grant permission for the scheme in Beech Crescent, Altham West, Accrington.

Its vice chair Cllr Judith Addison in August expressed concern over the ‘mushrooming industry’ of such conversions.

The following month the committee refused a move to turn the three-bedroomed property in Epping Avenue, Altham, into a mother and baby home or residence for a child with special care needs.

But when the committee meets on Tuesday a planning officer's report recommends approval with five conditions for the latest Beech Crescent application by Ziafat Ali of Blackburn-based Thrive Residential Properties Ltd.

It says: "The application site consists of a five-bedroomed detached dwelling situated at the west end of Beech Crescent, a cul-de-sac off A680 Whalley Road.

"The proposed children’s home will provide accommodation for a maximum of four children between the ages of 8 and 18 years with 24-hour adult support, provided on a shift basis.

"There have been 28 individual letters of objection received.

"The proposed development would result in the net gain of a children’s home to provide care for up to four children with associated facilities.

"The supporting letter provided by the Lancashire County Council senior commissioning manager notes that ‘there is high demand for this type of provision locally.

"Smaller children’s home provision can be very challenging to source and, due to lack of availability and high demand, it can at times mean that we are left with no choice but to have to place our young people at distance from their local community or in other less suitable provision.

"Objection comments have been raised regarding the potential noise, disturbance and anti-social behaviour generated from up to four children being accommodated within the house to the neighbouring properties.

"Whilst those objections are noted, the information submitted and the supporting letter from LCC has demonstrated that the proposed children’s home will provide a high level of support and supervision with 24-hour care provided to future residents by trained staff.

"It is considered that the proposed use is acceptable in this area of West Altham.

"It is considered that the level of the intended use as an up to four person occupancy children home and the fact there will be no external alterations means the proposed use will have no significant impact on the character and appearance of the area."