Villagers near Shrewsbury are 'anxious' about noise if children's care home plan given the go-ahead

Unique Care Group has applied to turn a 10-bedroom house in Condover, near Shrewsbury, into a residential home for five children.

The company provides residential care and educational for young people with learning disabilities and complex needs. 

The group currently operates three other homes in or near Shrewsbury, located in Monkmoor Road, Castlefields and the village of Westbury. A fourth home is due to soon soon in Bagley, near Ellesmere.

The Condover home, on Harley Road, is currently a ten-bedroom property that was once two detached dormer bungalows linked via an extension some years ago.

A spokesperson for the company stated: "For the benefit of the young people in its care it is essential that its homes mirror, as far as possible, a normal family environment in touch with the wider community.

"The purpose of the home would be to provide a safe, warm, and nurturing environment with a high standard of accommodation and care for children and young people, ensuring an excellent delivery of service with positive outcomes. 

"The aim is to transform young people’s lives and experiences and support them at a level and pace to meet their individual need due to their disabilities, to develop their personal, social, and emotional wellbeing and to guide them in all aspects of their lives in order for them to successfully transition into adult care."

'Shocked and distressed'

But prospective neighbours haven't been too thrilled with the plans, with four so far lodging objections and only one in support.

The main concern of those opposed appears to be fears that history may repeat itself, one neighbour warned that a similar facility operating from the home caused "substantial distress" in the quiet neighbourhood.

One objector, Mr McQuitty, wrote: "The previous care home at this address operated without proper planning approval. There was significant noise disturbances that disrupted the peace of neighbouring properties. 

"This included excessive noise from shouting, staff activity, and other disruptive sounds, which led to a formal noise abatement order being issued by Shropshire Council. The removal of the previous care home followed these disturbances, and the last thing we want is a repeat of these issues."

Another, Mr Dee, added: "I was shocked and distressed to learn that another care home company is seeking to reinstate the premises as a care home.

"You will undoubtedly be aware that the previous care home caused significant disturbance and distress to me as a neighbour, as well as my other neighbours that are in audible distance of the house, and we are all deeply dismayed and anxious about the possibility of facing a repeat of this ordeal."

While Mr De Klerk wrote: "The impact on the health and well-being of local residents was substantial, with noise disturbances leading to heightened stress levels, mental health issues, and overall disruption to daily life and the inability to enjoy our property and grounds. The neighbouring residents have a right to live in a peaceful, stable environment, and the reintroduction of a care home at this location would severely compromise that right."

But one commenter, writing in support of the application, said the assumption of noise disturbance was "very prejudiced".

Mrs Richards wrote: "Assumptions that all people with learning disabilities are noisy. Very prejudiced. This is not the case and everyone in society deserves the same rights to a safe home as each other, regardless of disability or any other protected characteristics."

The application is available to view online on Shropshire Council's planning portal using reference 24/04272/FUL.