House to become care home for kids despite dozens of objections
PLANS for a residential house in Alvaston to be transformed into a care home for children have been approved despite dozens of objections.
A planning application for a change of use from dwelling to care home at Lindon Drive drew 61 objections and a petition with fears over crime.
Planning statements submitted indicate there would be a maximum of four residents at the property aged between 5 and 17 years old, with an available staff of 10 working on a shift basis. Two staff would sleep at the property overnight.
The home will be managed by a professional company Platform Childcare, which is based in Burton.
However, fearful residents living nearby say there are similar care home type properties in the area
which they believe have led to antisocial behaviour problems around the area and frequent police visits.
But the majority of councillors on Derby City Council’s planning control committee voted in support of the application at a meeting on Thursday after it was recommended for approval by planning officers.
Speaking at the meeting, worried Alvaston resident Mr Lucas pleaded with the councillors to see their concerns and said “enough is enough”.
He said: “With the increased level of homes (in the area) being set up this has led to anti-social behaviour especially when the care home residents link together and congregate causing problems for residents on Lindon Drive. Various issues have been reported to the police.
“Some of these residents have been here for many years. There is the noise, anti-social behaviour, bad language, drug use, alcohol use and damage to personal property. Families have experienced intimidation and confrontation. If this goes through how many more (care homes) will follow? To be frank, enough is enough and that is what the residents have told me to say.”
However, it was heard by a planning officer that police are not consulted on this type of application.
Local councillor John Evans also spoke against the plan saying statements made by the applicant were “contradictory” and asked if it was right for children to be raised by private companies.
But the majority of councillors on the Planning Control Committee gave the application the go-ahead.
Committee chair and councillor Shiraz Khan said: “I have every sympathy with residents, but you only have to understand there is nothing this committee can do to stop six people from moving there.
“I would have thought that this being four children with two people looking after them are far better than having six people who may have far more problems than you care to even think about.”
And councillor Joanna West said: “We’ve got the opportunity to provide children who have had the worst start in life with an opportunity enabling them a safe home and giving them support as they enter adulthood.”