A BID to turn a large village house into a small children's care home has been rejected after 19 objections.

Hyde-based Care 4 Every Child wanted to convert Sanderson Mitchell House in Moorside Road, Edgworth Bolton.

But Blackburn with Darwen Council planners have refused their application for the change.

The proposal was to change the detached property from a family house into a residential children's home for a maximum of four children up to the age of 18 with two carers sleeping overnight.

But officials ruled that the applicant had failed to demonstrate a need arising from the requirements of people with a defined association with Blackburn with Darwen and that it would result in an unwarranted increase in the level of demand for public support services to the extent that those services would deteriorate for existing users.

A report by planning officer Nick Blackledge says: "The application site relates to a large detached dwelling located to the north of Moorside Road, Edgworth.

"The following is extracted from the applicant's Supporting Statement: 'It is proposed that the site will be registered as a home to provide care for up to four young people who will be supported by two resident carers who will sleep overnight.

"''The children that are in care cannot live at home due to very unfortunate circumstances such as abuse and neglect. The type of care provided is 'as close to a family environment as possible'.

"The children would cook meals with the adults, go on activities each evening (like cinema, days out, restaurants) and have the childhood they deserve. The children are taken on weekends away and holidays and participate in seasonal events like Christmas just like a regular family would.

"'The age range of the children will vary, but the applicant typically caters for children aged eight to 18 years of age.

"'The children attend local primary or secondary schools.'

"Nineteen objections were received summarised as

" Transport impacts;

" Noise nuisance;

" anti-social behaviour;

" change in character and appearance; and

" insufficient outdoor space.

"As a large detached property set within a substantial plot, with adequate off-street parking, the proposal is considered to be spatially acceptable.

"The council’s children’s service’s strategic commissioning consultee has offered an objection to the proposal, on the premise that the local authority area cannot support the likely impacts arising on public service provision.

"Children’s services assert that there is no demand for the proposal "