Neighbours’ concerns over children’s home plan
Plans to open a children’s home in a residential Wolverhampton street have sparked a wave of protest from concerned neighbours.
Cove Care Limited, based in Waterloo Road in the city centre, has applied to the council to change the use of a detached house in Waite Road, in Bilston.
However, people living nearby have told the council they fear the move could lead to crime, anti-social behaviour, disturbances and general anxiety for neighbours – some of whom are vulnerable.
Other concerns include the loss of privacy, conflict between the occupants and children living at neighbouring properties, an increase in traffic and insufficient parking space.
Planning officer Tracey Homfray said: “The application is to use the property as a home for up to two vulnerable children. They may require care for safeguarding, emotional, social or mental health issues, or because their parents are incapacitated.
“Neighbours have raised concerns with respect to anti-social behaviour, security and a fear of crime. However, children residing here would be under the 24-hour care of trained and qualified staff.
“The proposal is to provide a family setting and a structured environment similar to any other family.
“These children would attend mainstream schools or colleges during normal school term times. At all other times they would be resident in the home,” she added.
“Visitors to the house would be by appointment, and in the main these would be social workers.
“The children would live as a single supported unit, with a care manager on the premises at all times. They would be supported by fully trained and qualified care workers, working shifts throughout the day and night on a one-to-one basis.
“One of the first-floor bedrooms would be used as an office but no proposed alterations or extensions are planned,” she said.
“On balance, the proposed use would not be that dissimilar to the current residential dwelling, and would therefore not be significantly out of character with this street scene or the surrounding area.”
Wolverhampton Council planning committee has been recommended to approve the application when it meets on January 12.
