Children's home plans for detached house in Rainford decided on

Proposals to use a property on Berringtons Lane, Rainford, for the care of up to four children were submitted to the council.

A planning statement was submitted on behalf of applicant Phoenix Care & Education Limited.

The plans stated "it is the intention of the applicant" to use the property on Berringtons Lane, described as an "isolated detached dwelling" as "a residential children’s home for up to four children with up to three full-time carers who will be based at the home".

The statement added that carers will be operate on a two day/night on and four day/night off pattern and "a manager will also visit the property and will work from 9 to 5 Monday to Friday".

Plans said that "most of the time the property will operate with two staff and two to three children, only when there are four children will there be three staff at the premises". This means "there will be three staff there most of the time and no more than four staff at the property at any one time".

Plans added that "staff changes will be infrequent (once every two days for each member of staff, or equivalent to one staff change a day) with only daily manager visits. Two staff will sleep at the property overnight".

The application site is in the green belt but plans stated the "proposal would be a change of use with no built development proposed" and "would therefore not result in impacts on the openness of the green belt".

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The statement adds that the site has six parking spaces "which would remain unchanged" and that "the level of parking provision within the site is sufficient for the children’s care home use".

The statement concluded: "In summary, it is considered that the proposed use as a residential children’s care home would be acceptable in principle and would not result in harm to the amenity of neighbours or highway safety".

In a report, planning officer Alex Ball noted that there had been objections raised to the plans including concerns over possible behavioural problems and risk to the public.

However,  the planning officer said "the effective management of the site would be regulated outside the planning process by the applicant and Ofsted and other relevant care bodies" adding "the perceived character or behaviours of any of the young persons is an unknown factor and cannot be assessed as part of the planning application".

Town hall planners have decided on the application (Image: Stock)

They said "the property has an established use as a dwellinghouse which could be occupied by a family with several children which would result in similar vehicle movements".

Mr Ball added: "I am satisfied that the proposed development would not harm the openness of the green belt".

Permission was granted.