A large house is to be converted into a children’s home despite a number of objections from neighbours.
The Cambrian Group, who operate several care homes, wished to convert the five-bed property on Walshaw Road, Bury, to accommodate up to four children aged between 10 and 17.
Bury Council’s planning committee heard that support staff would operate on a shift pattern, with a total of four members of staff on site during the day and two overnight, operating a 24-hour shift pattern.
The property is on a corner plot and fronts Walshaw Road with the unadopted side road Brookthorpe Road to the east which leads to houses on Sharples Drive.
The driveway can accommodate up to four cars.
12 objections were received to the plans with one stating ‘to place a children’s home within a well established and solely residential area is completely out of keeping’.
Other objections included that it would have a ‘detrimental impact on the visual amenity of the area, that ‘parking provision is inadequate’ and there would be a ‘significant and cumulative impact from noise and disruption upon the residential amenity of the residents in the area’.
Another objector said: “I would be apprehensive if I had to walk my dogs past groups of youths in the area.”
Speaking at a Bury council planning committee meeting which approved the plans, Coun Dene Vernon said he had concerns about parking and traffic.
He said: “There’s going to be more disruption, more comings and goings and it’s not just about the staff themselves.
“It’s all the people visiting it’s having meetings, it’s different agencies visiting I’m not convinced,
“I think the number of cars will be very disruptive would be a hazard to road safety and to people using that road.”
Council officers stated that their view was that the change in use would not a significant effect on the highway.
Their report, said: “The highway section is satisfied with the proposed parking and access arrangements and has raised no objection.”
A majority of councillors on the planning committee agreed to the change of use from residential to care home.
