PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have given the go-ahead for the continued use of a detached house as a children’s home – despite numerous objections from neighbours.
Up to 60 nearby residents opposed the scheme in Isherwood Close, Fearnhead claiming they had suffered anti-social behaviour, vandalism, late night noise, vandalism, etc, as a result of the use of the house.
The scheme was before the committee because of an application for additional accommodation for staff and increased staff parking.
Warrington Borough Council officers recommended it be approved – and members of the borough council’s development management committee voted it through.
Twenty-three neighbours lodged objections and in addition, there was an open letter of objections from 43 residents of Isherwood Close, Wasley Close and Cinnamon Lane.
They claimed since the house had been used as a children’s home they had suffered from noise, anti-social behaviour, vandalism, litter, fighting and bare-foot children sitting outside the property smoking.
There were also parking problems caused by care home staff.
Poulton-with-Fearnhead Parish Council and local borough councillors also opposed the scheme on the grounds of inappropriate use in a residential area.
But planning officers pointed that a children’s home was a residential use so was not inappropriate in the area. The perception of anti-social behaviour and crime was not a material consideration because it could not be evidence-based.
One objector told the meeting the application should be refused and the use of the property as a home should be ended.
But he was told that even if the application was turned down, the use of the property as a home could continue.
The problems which had occurred in the past were due to the management of the property, which should improve as a result of additional staff.
