An application to change the use of a detached house on Glenfield Avenue from a dwelling to a children’s residential home has been approved at a city council planning meeting.
Article continues after this message...
The house, just north of the primary school and opposite the junction with Glenfield Way, will house up to three children aged 7 to 18, supported by three daytime staff and two overnight.
Opponents argued at the panel meeting on September 23 that it was “the wrong home in the wrong place and for the wrong reasons".
They argued that it was unsuitable for such a use, raising concerns about road safety at the busy junction, the impact on the community, flooding risks, and pointing out that it was “not a neighbour moving in, it is a business venture”.
Supporters said the aim was to create not a “secure unit” but a “home from home” and a nurturing environment for vulnerable young people from the community who would be able to attend mainstream schools. They highlighted the shortage of children’s home places, with one potential referral currently in hospital due to a lack of suitable accommodation. A flood risk assessment had been carried out, it was stressed, and the home would create employment with planning conditions encouraging sustainable travel for staff.
Asking the panel to reject the application, Cllr Rob Harwood (Harefield, Con) said: “The strong opposition that’s been put from Glenfield Avenue residents I think reflects the sense of community they feel in that road, and they’re worried that this will break up that community … through disturbance, anti-social behaviour, and also the interaction between the schools and potentially the residents of this children’s home.”
He suggested that the council would not choose to put a children’s home there, and asked why “a speculative application from a business to put one here right next to a nursery, a junior school and a primary school” should gain approval.
However, planning officers noted that children’s services had raised no objections and planning conditions were attached to address flooding concerns.
Chair of the planning and rights of way panel Cllr Vivienne Windle said that despite the objections, she could not see “any planning reasons” not to allow the scheme. She said the panel was “not making decisions about where looked after children go, we’re making planning decisions, and I cannot see any planning reasons for turning this down”.
Her colleagues on the panel thought likewise, and the application was approved with conditions.