Ashfield house worth half-a-million lined up as children's care home
A property in Ashfield, said to be worth almost half a million pounds, could soon be converted into a residential care home for children or young people.
The impressive five-bedroom, detached house at 18 Selston Road in Jacksdale is valued at £488,000, according to The Move Market website, and was a family home until a month ago.
But it is now the subject of a planning application, received by Ashfield District Council, for a change of use to accommodate three youngsters, aged between five to 18, supported by a trained care team.
The company behind the proposal is Trauma In Mind Ltd, based in Leicester, which provides therapeutic residential care for children who have suffered “trauma, disruption or other adverse experiences” in their lives so far.
The organisation was founded five years ago by 44-year-old Kristie Dimaro and Dr Lian Dimaro, 41, and already runs two similar homes in Derbyshire that are rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by the education watchdog, Ofsted.
A planning statement says: “The Dimaros’ work is rooted in a strong, personal and professional commitment to helping children feel safe, understood and valued.
"Together, they bring extensive experience across residential childcare, health and social care, behaviour support and therapeutic practice.
"They have a demonstrable track record of delivering regulated, high-quality care.”
Trauma In Mind plans to develop the family-style Jacksdale home in partnership with Nottinghamshire County Council – and it is sure it would have no detrimental impact on neighbours.
The statement goes on: “The applicant recognises that new children’s homes can sometimes prompt questions from local residents.
"Trauma In Mind is committed to engaging constructively and proportionately with immediate neighbours, making contact where appropriate and responding to reasonable concerns.
"Kristie and the wider team understand the importance of being good neighbours, and the intention is to establish positive local relationships while preserving the privacy and dignity of the children who will live at the home.”
The Selston Road property is set back from the road, complete with a good-sized garden and ample off-road parking, so it is not expected to result in excessive noise, disturbance or traffic.
The statement says the “suitability of each child’s placement would be assessed beforehand”.
And the youngsters would be looked after by a full-time team of six carers, working to a shift rota, plus a home manager and deputy.
"The home would operate in a manner that reflects ordinary domestic living, with children supported in day-to-day activities, such as school attendance, meal times, leisure activities, appointments and community participation,” the statement continues.
"The house is well suited to the proposed use because it is a substantial property, capable of accommodating family-style living.
"It would allow children and adults to live together as a single household while maintaining suitable standards of privacy and supervision.”
The council’s planning officers are currently considering the proposal and have set a deadline date of Wednesday, September 9 for a decision or recommendation. Interested neighbours can post their comments in the council’s website.
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/