Council rubber-stamps plans to turn house into children's home
It will cater for up to two children
A property on Ganton Close is set to be turned into a children's home after plans were approved.
A house is set to be turned into a children’s home after plans were given the green light. Halton Council planning officers have approved the change of use of a property on Ganton Close in Widnes into a home for up to two children.
The application was submitted by Sure Steps Support Services. which operates a children’s home in Liverpool. A planning statement submitted by the applicant said: “The home will operate as a family environment with no more than two children in residence at any time.”
It said care would be provided via a rota by a maximum of two carers who would also be present overnight, supported by up to two managers during office hours for administrative purposes. The application added: “The home is designed to function calmly and with the minimum of disruption to the child and the neighbourhood. Professional visitors will be limited to occasional scheduled visits.”
It said therapy sessions would take place off-site to maintain the ethos of ‘home’ being ‘home’ and therapy being unconnected to their safe space. It added: “Parental visits are rare and would only occur occasionally if deemed in the best interest of the child. The children placed in our home will not have complex medical needs and will not require regular clinical visits.”
It said one or two cars would be typically present due to staff transport arrangements. It added that no external or internal alterations to the building were required. The application concluded: “The proposed use is consistent with a residential setting, with no material change to the character of the area.”
The change of use has now been rubber-stamped by Halton Borough Council’s planning department.