PLANS to open a residential property for care leavers near the town centre has been approved by the council despite objections from local residents.
The facility, on Victoria Road, has been used as an education day centre for children with disabilities, run by Greenacre School.
They property was transferred back into the council’s stock after the facility closed in 2023.
An application to convert it to allow four young people - aged 16 and above - to use it and adapt and prepare for independent living was submitted to the planning board in September.
A report states: “The facility will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days per week with two to three staff on site at any one time during the day with that reducing to one staff member overnight.
“Shift patterns will be on a 24-hour cycle with change overs either in the morning or late afternoon to avoid peak traffic times.
“The residents of the property will still be in full time education so will attend college or training during weekdays.
“Visitors will be limited to one per resident per day at set times.”
The plans were put to public consultation and eight objections were submitted.
Concerns ranged from an increase in noise and antisocial behaviour to a loss of privacy.
The application was approved earlier this week.
“The proposed use would have a smaller number of occupants and staff, with four residents and two to three staff at any time, plus limited visitors, however, that use would operate 24 hours a day,” the report added.
“Given the residents will be 16 to 18 years old, during the day they will be at educational or training facilities, as such, arguably during the daytime noise and disturbance will be lower than the previous use.
“Having balanced all material planning considerations, whilst a number of objections have been received in respect to the proposal they have been suitably addressed through the information supplied and further submissions to the scheme.
“As a consequence, the positive aspects of the proposal outlined above are not outweighed by any other material planning considerations.
“The proposal is therefore, on balance, recommended for approval subject to conditions.”
