Calls to reject plans for a children’s home in a County Durham hamlet have been supported, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.
The proposal for the new facility in Windlestone, near Chilton, was unanimously refused by Durham County Council amid significant concerns from residents.
Addis Town Planning, the applicant, had applied to convert a bungalow into a children’s home for people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, between the ages of eight and 17.
But concerned residents warned that the character of the sleepy parish would be significantly impacted if approved. Accessed by a single track road, there are no road signs or streetlights in the area, and footfall and traffic are rare.
Derek Cattell, who lives nearby, said the majority of residents in the hamlet, which has just 11 houses, objected to the plans despite not being consulted by the applicant.
“Why this company wants to set up a commercial business when nobody wants them is a mystery to us,” he told a planning committee meeting.
He added: “This company would have found out the strength of feeling had they first consulted residents. This application is unwanted.”
The applicant said several members of staff would work out of the children’s home on a shift basis, with each child living at the home for around 17 to 22 weeks at a time.
However, Mr Cattell’s concerns were supported by Windlestone Parish Council, which also objected.
A statement read: “The introduction of a children’s home is likely to greatly disrupt residential amenity through increased noise and traffic, disturbing the peace valued by current residents, and particularly those who are elderly and/or vulnerable.”
Nobody from Addis Town Planning was present at the meeting to respond to the comments.
In recommending refusal, planning officers said there is already a sufficient number of homes providing short-term provision in County Durham.
Bill Edgar
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
