Plea to council over plan for care home in Mansfield for vulnerable children

Keyline Care, which is based in Hucknall, has submitted a planning application to Mansfield District Council to convert a detached, two-bedroom bungalow on West Bank Wynd, off West Bank Avenue and close to Chesterfield Road South, into the home.

And as part of its case, the firm has quoted a government minister, who said in 2023: “The planning system should not be a barrier to providing homes for vulnerable children in society”.

The plan is for two youngsters, between the ages of seven and 18 and currently in care, to live at the property under the watchful eye of a team of professional, qualified carers.

Keyline says the arrangement would replicate that of a traditional family home and would not constitute a change of use. Therefore, it is simply applying for a lawful development certificate to set up the home.

A supporting statement has been submitted by Keyline’s agent for the scheme, Mckenzie Tilson Architecture, based in Stapleford.

It says: “This small home would be operated and managed by Keyline Care, an independent provider of high-quality children’s homes and a firm with an extensive background in supported living.

"Keyline prides itself on ensuring that the homes they provide are welcoming and warm places to live, and encourage young people to flourish and grow by undertaking education, hobbies and leisure activities.

"It provides a ‘family home’ to the youngsters, rather than institutional settings. This approach is favoured by the statutory regulator, Ofsted.”

The property, which has its own garden and sits within a quiet residential area, was sold for £165,000 in March.

Mckenzie Tilson points out that similar care homes have already been approved by the council in other areas of the Mansfield district, including Opal Close, Grizedale Rise and Chaffinch Close.

It says the youngsters at West Bank Wynd would be “in full-time education and have a normal day-to-day routine, as expected for any child”.

Two carers would be present during the day and overnight, while a registered manager would oversee the administrative running of the home.

"The carers would be responsible for all welfare and support, essentially fulfilling a parental role,” says the statement.

"Visits and vehicular movements would be no different to those generated by a family home.”

The council’s planning officers are currently considering the proposal and hope to make a decision or recommendation by their deadline date of Tuesday, August 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/