CHILDREN’S HOME IS GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD

Objectors lose bid to prevent conversion but plan appeal

NEIGHBOURS have lost a fight to stop a four-bedroom property in their street being turned into a children’s home.

Their complaints included the potential for noise, parking problems and anti-social behaviour in Laburnum Grove, Blurton.

But city councillors rejected the 24 objections. Now the neighbours plan to appeal against the ruling in a last-gasp attempt to try to keep the home out of their quiet cul-de-sac.

Ward councillor Shaun Bennett spoke on behalf of the residents. He said: “There are a high proportion of elderly residents living there. I understand what they are saying. Once it’s there, residents’ concerns might melt away, and that’s a possibility, but I do think they are right to be concerned.

“I do hope that the people who are going to be running this home are going to do as they’ve said and work with the local community, integrate into the local community, and take those residents with them.

“At the moment, I think, the people that own the property – and they’re going to be running it – have been a bit standoffish with the residents and haven’t really been talking with them. I’m hoping that will soon change.”

He added: “The residents have already told me that they plan to appeal the decision – and obviously I’ll help them with that. I’m going to carry on supporting them as far as I can. Whether we get anywhere, I don’t know, but we’ll certainly try.”

The home will be registered with Ofsted and cater for up to three young people, aged eight to 18. There will be support aroundthe-clock. Some of the children may have emotional problems or mild learning difficulties.

The applicant said: “I’m going to take a lot more satisfaction from this nature of work than what I do from the line of work that I do now – as you’re giving more back to the community, you’re helping children. I’m in construction at the minute, so it’s a completely different line of work.

“We’ve got an open door policy so even with normal kids you can get complaints from neighbours. So you’ve got to expect some complaints or the odd issue. If that ever does arise, we’ve got an open door policy, so the neighbours can come round whenever they want. If it is a problem that needs resolving it will be resolved.”