PLANS to convert a Carrbrook house into a children’s home have sparked huge concern and an outpouring of objection.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has applied to Tameside Council to turn the property on Swallow Close into a facility for up to three youngsters, plus staff.
However, people living nearby have voiced their opposition to the proposal, with about 100 objections having already been lodged.
And residents’ group meetings have also been told of worries over the impact it may have.
According to planning documents, the four-bedroomed house will be turned into a five-bedroomed property, with the extra coming from the shortening of one and the replacement of an en suite bathroom.
They also detail how a home would work, stating: “The home will provide residential care for up to three children, with at least two staff members being present at all times, including two sleeping in the home each evening.
“The property will therefore have the composition of a two-adult, three-child household and the standard residential environment expected of this.
“The proposed home will be ringfenced for children in the Greater Manchester area.
“The service will be a focus for children who are currently living in a residential home but have a plan to move into a fostering household and will help with their integration into mainstream housing.
“The home will function as a typical residential property and the children being cared for will be in education.
“This may take the form of home tuition, virtual learning or full-time mainstream education in the local area.
“At weekends, the children may have activities organised in the home or be on excursions off-site. In general, there are anticipated to be vehicle movements that would be expected of a standard family home.”
Staff would be on site at all times and the garage will be reconfigured to make sure handovers and visit from other staff, like social workers, do not cause congestion in Swallow Close.
Tameside Council’s environmental services department and contaminated land team and have indicated they have no objections to the proposal.
Its waste team, however, has advised it would need a trade contract in place as those living nearby grow increasingly concerned at the impact the change if use would have on their neighbourhood.
Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee, or officers, will decide whether to grant or refuse permission.