Two family houses in South Gloucestershire are set to be turned into children’s homes despite neighbours’ objections. The detached five-bedroom properties – Oakfield House in Wotton Road, Rangeworthy, and 470 Church Road, Frampton Cotterell – will each accommodate three youngsters in need of support along with three carers, two of whom would stay overnight on a rota.
But locals fear increased noise and disruption, parking and traffic problems, and increased crime. Ten residents objected to the change of use of Oakfield House, where there are also concerns about bats on the site, and seven to the Church Road plans.
But South Gloucestershire Council planning officers are recommending that councillors on the development management committee grant approval for both applications, submitted by the local authority, when they meet to make the decision on Thursday, February 20. Referring to both properties, their report to the committee said: “The proposed development does not include any external alterations and therefore would not have any unacceptable impacts on the visual amenity of the site or its context.
“The proposed change of use would not increase the number of bedrooms at the property and would therefore not increase the maximum number of people the property could accommodate. The proposed change of use cannot therefore be considered to materially alter the noise generated by the property or the rubbish/waste produced by those who live there.”
It said there was no basis to conclude that crime and antisocial behaviour were an “inherent part of the proposal” so these fears were irrelevant. The report said: “It is not considered that the proposed development creates unacceptable living conditions or has an unacceptable impact on the residential amenity of the occupiers of the development or of nearby properties.”
It said both homes had five bedrooms, which would not change, so there would be no increase in traffic and that the existing three parking spaces at each would be retained and be sufficient. “This planning application is considered to have a positive impact on equality by providing facilities for children most in need of support,” it said.
The report said the children’s homes would be regulated by Ofsted.
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