Bid to turn modern property into youngsters' care home -- latest Mansfield plans

Mansfield District Council has received a proposal for the semi-detached, four-bedroom house at 8, Linseed Grove, which is only five years old and sits within a cul-de-sac in the Lindhurst ward of town.

The three-storey property was sold earlier this year after being placed on the market by estate agents Rightmove with a guide price of £270,000.

The idea is for it to be turned into a home for three young people, aged between seven and 18, who would be cared for round-the-clock by “qualified professionals who would have a de facto parenting role”.

It is not known which company is behind the scheme because the planning application has been submitted by its agent, independent planning consultant Richard Jewkes, the 44-year-old boss of Simpatico Town Planning, based in Dudley, West Midlands.

A near-identical proposal, but for two young people, has also been lodged with the council by Simpatico for a semi-detached, three-bedroom house, built in the 1960s, on another residential cul-de-sac, at 11 Fairlie Avenue, near King’s Mill Hospital.

Simpatico has issued lengthy statements outlining the proposals which, it says, aim to “provide the young people with safe and loving homes within a domestic, family environment”.

The statements stress that the homes “would not result in any harmful impacts to the surrounding locality” and were “highly unlikely to give rise to excessive noise”.

Instead they would operate like traditional family homes, with the young people attending local schools and enjoying activities, such as sports and hobbies, within the local community.

"The children or young people would be cared for on a medium-to-long-term basis in order for them to integrate properly into the community and build string relationships with the carers and their environment,” says Simpatico.

Each would have their own bedroom, while the other bedroom would be slept in by overnight care staff, who would work to a shift rota system.

Typically, two carers would be present at the properties, offering support to the young people and overseeing activities such as cooking, shopping and trips to and from school. A home manager would also attend regularly.

The youngsters would be “referred by the local children’s services department” and would only be placed into the homes after “a professional, detailed risk assessment to ensure the residences were appropriate”.

The homes, which also have gardens, front driveways and detached garages, would be registered with the education watchdog, Ofsted, which would carry out regular monitoring inspections.

Simpatico argues that the proposals do not constitute a change of use at the properties, so its applications are for lawful development certificates.

The council’s planning officers are currently considering the schemes and have set a deadline date of Thursday, September 10 to make a decision or recommendation. Interested neighbours can submit their comments via the council’s website.

Other planning applications received by Mansfield Council include these:

1 Syerston Court, Mansfield – single-storey rear extension and front porch.

2 Dawgates Lane, Pleasley – demolition of existing structures and erection of new detached dwelling and associated car port

Church Warsop Miners Welfare, Wood Lane, Warsop – discharge of condition (external facing, roofing and hard landscaping materials) attached to plan for residential development.

16 Kings Lodge Drive, Mansfield – work to tree covered by preservation order.

Woodlands, Clipstone Drive, Forest Town – removal of three trees covered by preservation order.

Land at Pleasley Hill Farm, Water Lane, Pleasley – discharge of conditions (public transport strategy and cycle and pedestrian route) attached to plan for mixed-use development of up to 850 dwellings, business use, hotel, petrol filling station, care home and neighbourhood shops.

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/