Approval for Telford children's care home granted
A detached house in Telford will be converted into a care home for vulnerable children, after planners approved a change of use.
Cove Care Ltd applied to use the two-bedroom home in Trench as a live-in facility for under-18s, including those at risk of physical abuse or with mental health needs.
Parish councillors objected to the proposal, raising concerns about extra parking and traffic.
But Telford & Wrekin Council’s highways team offered no objection, and the planning department granted permission.
A statement, prepared by planning agent Anthony Buckley on behalf of the Wolverhampton-based company, said: “The home will accommodate vulnerable children under the age of 18 who may have short- or long-term needs due to sick parents or guardians requiring respite care, emotional, social and mental health issues or a risk of physical abuse.
“Most of the children in their care will attend mainstream schools or colleges during normal school term times.
“At all other times, the children will be resident within the home and will have structured activities with a one-to-one support worker.
Guarantees
“The children placed in this proposed home will live as a single supported family unit with a care/house manager on the premises at all times as is reasonable and practical.”
The household would be supported day and night by qualified care workers working on a shift basis at a ratio of one per child, Mr Buckley added.
Visitors, who will generally be family members or social workers, will be able to attend by appointment only.
The parish council’s objection raised concerns about parking and extra traffic, considering its proximity to a school, and asked why Cove Care had chosen that location “when there are more suitable sites in the parish”.
“The councillors want guarantees that there will be no expansion to the property in future, therefore limiting the number of children to two,” their statement added.
“The property is situated in a residential street at the narrowest part of the road, which is a very busy road. Backing in and out of the property would be difficult for the additional cars on site.”
