Haslingden children's home and Nelson youth centre given go ahead (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Haslingden children's home and Nelson youth centre given go ahead

7:30am Thursday 5th November 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(2)

A NEW children's home has been given the go ahead - despite residents' fears about anti-social behaviour.

Yesterday Lancashire County Council granted planning permission for the development of the former Crestmoor children's home, Unity Way, Rawtenstall.

Letters from people living around the site said it had previously been plagued by arson an drug-abusers.

But the development control committee approved the plans without debate at County Hall in Preston.

In a report advising the councillors, planning officers wrote: "This is the type of behaviour that could be fond in any residential setting and this would be a matter for the management of the home to address."

The plans, they said, would create a "modern, purpose-built secure environment" for the children.

The six-bedroom home will include two bathrooms and a shower room, lounge games room, a homework room, kitchen and dining room and a laundry room. A 2.5metre high fence would be built around the back, councillors heard.

Also at yesterday's meeting councillors welcomed a new £1.3million youth centre in Nelson.

The state-of-the-art scheme will see the existing youth centre in Leeds Road demolished and replaced by a two-storey building, including an outdoor play area and car parking.

County councillors took less than five minutes to approve the scheme after planning chief Stuart Perigo told them it would make "quite a statement" in Nelson.

He said: "It will deliver a much-needed facility to children in this area."

Tory county councillor Bob Much said: "I wish more people built these youth centres. They are something we are sadly short of."

His fellow committee member, Lib Dem Tony Pimblett, added: "Something like this is welcome in any area.

"We hear so much about children with nothing to do and I am sure this will enhance the area."

The youth centre will be attached to a homeless shelter, which has already been granted planning permission by Pendle Borough Council. The facilities will include a quiet room, multi-use art room, music studio, kitchen and activity room.

Access will be by both Leeds Road and Bradley Hall Road, with the parking provision being accessed from Bradley Hall Road.