Hyndburn house to kids' home plans refused despite warning

Hyndburn Council planning committee refused to grant approval for both schemes - one in Altham and one in Accrington - on Wednesday, overturning a recommendation to pass them.

The meeting voted against granting planning permission on grounds of highway safety and neighbourhood amenity, both decisions moved by Peel ward's Cllr Clare Pritchard.

The first application concerned a home in Pendle View in Burnley Road, Altham, from Kara Manley of 2gether 4children.

The second was for a home in Willows Lane, Accrington, from Ashan Arif of Care Services To You.

The home in Pendle View, Altham (Image: HBC) After the meeting, he said: "We shall appeal this decision and we shall win.

"The councillors made their decision on their opinions, not the law."

On both applications, Labour's Cllr Pritchard expressed concerns about the welfare of the residents and highway safety on 'very busy roads' running past the properties, and their impact on the amenity of the local residents.

Planning manager Adam Birkett warned it was likely both applicants would appeal any refusals and the committee needed to ensure they had watertight planning reasons for such decisions.

The applicant for Willows Lane said 'we shall appeal and we shall win' (Image: HBC) The proposal for Pendle View would have converted the three-bedroomed semi-detached house into a residential care home for two children with one sleep-in staff member.

Altham Parish Council member Rennie Pinder and local resident Janice Ralph attended the meeting to object to the application on grounds including parking, noise and the safety of resident children on the ‘very busy’ A678.

Immanuel ward Conservative Cllr Judith Addison, who in 2022 warned about the mushrooming industry of such care homes, said: "I think it is not the right house in the right place.

"It needs to be a detached house and it needs to be on a quieter road."

Care Services To You wants to convert the house in Willows Lane, Accrington, into a residential home for one child aged eight to 17.

The plan for the three-bed semi-detached house generated a 45-name petition opposing it.

Neighbour Zohel Ali told the meeting local residents were concerned about potential noise, disturbances and anti-social behaviour if the conversion went ahead.

He said: "The effect will be catastrophic."

Local Spring Hill ward Labour councillor and Hyndburn Council leader Cllr Munsif Dad told the meeting there were major concerns about parking and road safety in view of a serious accident nearby where a car careered into a front garden.

Mr Arif said the home would be well-run and would not affect the area's character and his organisation was 'not profit-driven' but about giving troubled children the 'love and support they needed'.

Cllr Pritchard said: "I don't think this is the right place, I don't think it is the right house."