Acute need for children's care homes triggers two more plans in Mansfield area

Mansfield District Council has received change-of-use planning applications for a detached, four-bedroom property at 20, Crosby Close in Forest Town and for a two-bedroom bungalow at 6, West Bank Wynd, off West Bank Avenue, in Mansfield.

The small-scale homes would each be for two young people or children, cared for round the clock by a team of trained staff, working shifts.

At Crosby Close, the youngsters would be aged 11 to 17, while at West Bank Wynd, they would be aged between seven and 18.

The need for such homes is stressed in a planning statement for the Forest Town conversion, which would be run by the Birmingham-based firm, Light Meadow Care Ltd.

The statement, prepared by agent Heaton Planning Ltd, of Derby, reveals that there are currently about 82,000 children in care across England, with 44 per cent of those looked after by a local council having to be placed in homes outside of that council’s boundary.

In Nottinghamshire, the issue was particularly acute, underlining the importance of finding “residential homes that replicate a typical family household and provide skilled, emotional care”.

Heaton says the Crosby Close property would be ideal because it sits on a quiet cul-de-sac and was conveniently located, close to schools, services, bus stops and shops. No external alterations would be required.

The statement goes on: “The home would provide a safe, nurturing and family-like environment for vulnerable young people who need a stable, structured and consistent routine due to complex needs, including learning difficulties, autism or past trauma.

"Each young person would have their own personal room, with the other bedrooms reserved for staff.

"The home would, as far as practicably possible, display and function as a family home, with shared living spaces, meals, domestic routines, recreational activity and access to education, health appointments, family contact and community facilities.”

Two support workers would be present at all times, including overnight, and a manager would oversee the home, which would be regulated by the national education watchdog, Ofsted. A social worker would visit every four to six weeks.

A private driveway and garage had spaces for two vehicles, while off-street parking was also available. But it was anticipated that the only journeys to and from the home would be those a typical family would make, such as for school, shopping or hobbies.

The West Bank Wynd application follows up one made in the summer for a lawful development certificate to operate the property as a children’s home. This is for full planning permission to carry out the conversion.

It has been submitted by Keyline Care, of Hucknall, which is an independent provider of high-quality children’s homes that are “welcoming and warm places to live and encourage young people to flourish and grow”.

A statement, compiled by agent McKenzie Tilson Architecture, of Derbyshire, says: “Keyline provides family homes for the young people in its care, rather than institutional settings.

"This approach is favoured by Ofsted because ‘institutionalised’ people can have difficulty transitioning effectively to independent living later in life.

"The proposed operation would be deliberately designed to maintain a stable and domestic environment for the two children.

"They would be in full-time education and would have a normal day-to-day routine. They would not require professional visitors, and family visits would take place off-site. The carers would essentially fulfil a parental role.

"The proposal does not involve any significant physical alterations to the property.”

The council’s planning officers are currently considering the two schemes and hope to make a decision or recommendation by their deadline date of Wednesday, November 11.

THE details of many planning applications can be found in public notices advertised by local and regional newspapers. To catch up on all the latest public notices, go to https://publicnoticeportal.uk/