PLANNERS are recommending approval for a former chapel in Warrington to be converted into a residential institution for vulnerable young people – despite opposition from local residents.
Two Warrrington borough councillors have also expressed concerns about the proposed development in Forster Street, Orford with Cllr Sagheer Zaman suggesting the change of use of the building could lead to increased unlawful activity and anti-social behavior, including the potential grooming of young people.
Cllr Claire Lloyd-Fitzgerald has warned of a loss of privacy for houses directly opposite the building, increased noise, parking issues and the likely high turnover of young people living in the building.
Residents claim they have not been adequately consulted about the scheme and are concerned about the type of young person who might be placed in the facility.
The application, to be considered at a meeting of the borough council’s development management committee on Thursday, is from Bedspace, a company which had been operating for 24 years, specialising in providing supported living for young people leaving care.
There would be a total of eight apartments, two designed for single-parent families. One for an onsite support management providing 24/7 support and five for children between 14 -19 years of age.
Planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved. They say the building, dating from 1898, is of some significance but the proposals will not result in much change to its appearance.
Although there is a potential for increased noise it is unlikely to be much different to when it was run as a “urban church” with up to 150 people attending services and other meetings.
An earlier plan to change the use of the building to eight dwellings was approved in August last year.
A spokesperson for developers Casamount Developments Ltd. said: “Planning permission has already been granted for residential apartments and this is just an application for a change of use to supported living, helping young people aged 14-19 with starter homes. It is being managed 24/7 by a national company Bedspace.
“We are appalled that anyone could suggest that it is putting young people at risk of grooming. This is just scaremongering from people who are not fully aware of the facts. This is an opportunity to give vulnerable young people a better start in life. We are building eight luxury high-specification apartments.”
