Two Hyndburn kids home plans rejected thanks to new guidance

Hyndburn borough’s planning committee refused the two applications by Edward Smethurst of Altham-based Prosperity Children's Services Ltd.

The first proposal was to turn a three-bedroom detached house in Bluebell Way, Huncoat, into a children’s home providing accommodation for one child.

The second would convert a four-bedroomed detached property in Epping Avenue, Altham, into a children’s home providing accommodation for one child.

When the committee debated the schemes on Wednesday, it was the first time that a new Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) document on Children’s Residential and Supported Accommodations was in force following the council officially adopting it the previous Monday.

The house in Bluebell Way (Image: Hyndburn Council) The two proposals, which are amended resubmissions of similar applications, have both generated objections from nearby residents on grounds including parking and anti-social behaviour.

Lancashire County Council has also objected to both schemes, saying in each case there was no local need for solo children's homes and that Prosperity Children’s Services has never cared for a Lancashire child.

Planning manager Adam Birkett told the meeting there were several similar homes near both application sites – in the case of Epping Avenue, right next door.

Huncoat resident Jackie Rawstron said there were already problems with a similar home in Bluebell Way.

Altham resident Jon Chadwick said the same about the existing Epping Avenue care home where there had been ‘violent outbursts’ from one young resident.

The committee rejected both applications on the same grounds, including that they would create a ‘concentration of cluster of children’s care homes in the area’.

The refusals said: “There would be a cumulative impact arising from the proposed use together with the existing use, which would adversely affect the safety and convenience of pedestrians and other road users, and would detrimentally change the established residential character of the area contrary to the Children’s Residential and Supported Accommodations SPG.

“The proposed development, by virtue of its failure to demonstrate a local need and its nature and scale failing to align with Lancashire Children's Services commissioning strategies, is contrary to the Children’s Residential and Supported Accommodations SPG.”

Committee chair and Huncoat ward’s Cllr Dave Parkins thanked Mr Birkett and his staff for their work in preparing the new SPG.

A spokesperson for Prosperity Children's Services Ltd said: “We don’t wish to comment at this time.”