A CHILDREN’S home will be created at a Denton house after planning chiefs granted permission in a decision described as ‘disgraceful.’
Former leader of Tameside Council, Cllr Brenda Warrington, spoke against the proposal to convert the property on Manchester Road.
Fears over youngsters dealing with traffic on what is one the major arterial routes from Manchester city centre were cited as to why it should not go ahead – as well as the impact on people living nearby.
But the Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee voted to approve turning it into a home for a maximum of four children.
Opponents, however, were clearly heard calling the decision ‘disgraceful’ as they left the meeting.
Applicant Sultan Mahmood gave a passionate defence of his application, insisting it will cause fewer parking problems.
He said: “What we should be comparing it against is its current usage – its mandated for an eight-bedroomed HMO.
“I don’t wish to put any residents through what happens at some.
“Last year, the then owner came to me for advice on opening it as an HMO and I said, ‘Please, don’t do it,’ and I took it off his hands at an eye watering financial commitment.
“The best thing that could actually happen is to open it as a children’s home, which is regulated by Ofsted. There’s no way children will be left to their own devices.
“Anti-social behaviour is something that will not exist. Fantastic things will happen with fantastic people – the children are not bad kids, they just come from broken and dysfunctional homes.”
The home would employ seven staff members – one manager and six carers, with several sleeping over.
Cllr Warrington, in whose Denton West ward the building stands, said: “Residents who know the area well ask about the suitability of the location as a place to house vulnerable children.
“Manchester Road is a four-lane dual carriageway. Speeding traffic is a constant problem and we’ve had a number of traffic accidents.
“The areas around are often plagued by youths and anti-social behaviour is quite commonplace, it’s a worry to the elderly residents that live on that side of the carriageway.
“The location is far from safe.”
Fellow objector Brian Goodhand, who also represented several neighbours and voiced concerns over friends of children housed there visiting, added: “I’ve lived with my family on Manchester Road for the last 58 years.
“While society should correctly be sympathetic and understanding of the care and needs of some these young people, the premises provided should be appropriate and correctly situated.
“This business-related use of the premises could be the thin end of the wedge. This is not an appropriate location for this type of use.”
Despite the opposition, the panel voted the application through, even though Cllrs Jacquline Owen, Susan Quinn and Jackie Lane opposed it.