Dozens of worried residents have objected to council plans for a large family house on a Derby street to be used as a children’s home. A total of 82 objections, at time of writing, have been sent to Derby City Council over its own plans for a change of use to a property in Littleover.
There are fears the “quiet” Derby street could “turn to trouble”. Residents against the plans fear that because the applicant in this case is Derby City Council, the council itself will approve its own plans without considering the concerns
But the city council say in response a considered and democratic decision will be taken “irrespective of the nature of the applicant”.
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Plans were submitted by the city council for the property in December with residents having until January 8 to comment under the public consultation element of the planning application. Planning documents on behalf of Derby City Council say the four-bedroom property in question has a “large private garden to the rear and generous parking to the front”.
It says the household “will comprise of up to two dependent young people with complex emotional and mental health needs and issues due to traumatic experiences and low-level disabilities (between the ages of 8-18)” and two appropriate adults, all of whom will live together as a single household.
It adds the appropriate adult will operate on a rota basis, providing 24-hour live-in supported care to the dependent young people.
A resident in the street, who did not wish to be named, said there has been several concerns raised since the plans came to light and a meeting was recently arranged with Derby South MP Baggy Shanker.
The resident said: “We are all in agreement these children need care but putting them in a residential area we feel is not the right place. I know someone in Mickleover who lives near to a children’s home and she was telling me there have been problems ever since.
“We feel there could be a greater police presence because some of these children have behavioural issues. You will have carers coming in and going so there is the traffic and noise as well. I would ask the council planners – if a children’s house was going to be next to them, would they like it?”
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Planning documents state “a management plan will be put in place by the operator to demonstrates rigorous management/operational procedures at the property to ensure its effective management and to limit any amenity impacts on adjoining residents”.
But there are fears from residents that these are just words on paper. However a spokesperson for Derby City Council indicated the application was likely to be decided by the council’s planning committee – and not delegated by officers – at a future meeting. The council says a decision will be “placing weight on the substance of those concerns irrespective of the nature of the applicant”.
The spokesperson said: “When proposing new children’s homes, the council looks at a range of suitable locations and properties. As with all planning applications, the responses received will be taken into account when the outcome is determined. In this case the planning committee will make the decision placing weight on the substance of those concerns irrespective of the nature of the applicant.”
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