Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Children’s care home gets go-head despite location
Neighbours’ fears rejected as council agree building conversion
A rural farm building is to be converted into a care home for vulnerable youngsters including victims of sexual abuse and gang involvement – prompting dismay from neighbours.
Residents at Grays Farm, Chislet, are stunned that planning consent has been granted given the potential hazards at the farmyard, such as heavy machinery, horses and workers often armed with shotguns.
Proposals for conversion of the two-storey residential house had seen numerous complaints from neighbouring properties and the parish council.
Neighbours claimed the site was “wholly unsuitable” as the proposed care home can only be accessed via the yard shared with the operating farm.
Jacqui Pritchard, speaking on behalf of farm worker Paul Bridson, told the Gazette: “They will be coming through the courtyard, which has horses, woodsplitting equipment, farmland machinery.
“Tractors are often parked here. It’s a working farm.
“Paul, as part of his job, uses a shotgun for pest control, for conservation. It’s safely locked away, but there are gunshots on that farm daily.
“How can this possibly be suitable for vulnerable children, some of whom come from a gangland environment?”
Despite neighbours’ concerns, Canterbury City Council’s planning committee voted overwhelmingly in favour of the change of use.
According to documents lodged with the authority: “The children’s home is intended to provide specialist care for vulnera- ble children, including victims of child sexual exploitation and gang involvement.”
The home will occupy up to four children at any one time, with three staff members on site by day and two at night.
The officers’ report says: “It is considered the loss of a dwelling is justified as the proposed development meets an identified community need.”
Committee members appeared to agree, with chairman Cllr Jenny Samper stating that “suitability” was a matter for schools regulator Oftsed, further down the line.
Complainants had said they had nothing against the principle of such a care home, but questioned whether the location was right.
Miss Pritchard said: “There’s nothing here for young people. Nothing. And there’s no transport – no bus links, no train route. This is completely inadvisable.”
Council documents indicated eight objections from neighbours, as well as from the parish council.
Reasons for concern include unsuitability of the site, lack of parking, security and safety of residents. But their concerns fell on deaf ears.
Officers are recommending approval based on the “sustainability” of the plans, and that the proposed development complies with the aims and objectives of national policy.
Cllr Ian Thomas said at Tuesday’s meeting that taking youngsters out of an urban environment “might be the best thing for them”.