County Councillor Pete Molloy, recently held a surgery at Byers Green Club for village residents to discuss the newly submitted planning application for the change of use of a dwelling house to a children’s home.
The planning application, which has been submitted by Vita Nova NE Ltd., is for a children’s home for up to three children aged between 5 and 16 years.
Cllr Molloy is not opposed to the planning application and said: “I was first made aware of the proposal, just before last Christmas when I was contacted by one of Vita Nova’s Directors, which has resulted in me attending two meetings with the company and I was impressed with how they operate.
“However, I represent the residents of Byers Green and I wanted to hear what they had to say, especially with not living in the village myself, so that’s why I arranged to hold a surgery as quickly as possible.”
Prior to the surgery, Vita Nova Director, Kathryn Cowen, asked to attend the surgery to answer any questions, and the surgery became a Q&A meeting.
Questions included concerns of anti-social behaviour and whether children come from a criminal background.
It was explained that due to being regulated by Ofsted, the home will have no more than three children, who could have emotional, behavioural and learning difficulties.
It was also explained that children will not come from a criminal background.
Resident, Lorraine Lax, said: “We attended the meeting because we were undecided on how we felt about it coming into the village.
“After listening, I feel more positive about it’s future and hope the village gives it a chance to thrive.”
Speaking after the meeting, Vita Nova Director Kathryn Cowen said: “I would like to put on record my sincere thanks to Councillor Pete Molloy for his support throughout the meeting and over the last couple of weeks.”
More information can be found on Durham County Council’s planning portal at ref: DM/25/00111/FPA.
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
