A CARRBROOK house will be turned into a children’s home after planning permission was approved, despite more than 100 objections.
The property on Swallow Close will be adapted to accommodate three children, who may be aged between five and 18-years-old.
People lodged their opposition to the scheme by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which will operate under its Project Skyline banner and run by Social Care Services.
But those worries were not recognised by a meeting of Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee on Wednesday, March 18 after proposals to erect security gates and fencing were dropped.
It heard: “The aim is to reduce reliance on external providers to improve stability and generate significant cost savings for the authority.
“Project Skyline focuses on a small family-type home integrated into open neighbourhoods.
“This home will be domestic in scale and will support as closely as possible to a family home with a calm, stable environment and normal routines.
“It remains fundamentally domestic residential use supported by a stable staff team.”
Barry Winterbottom addressed the panel with concerns, saying: “It will accommodate two children, two permanent staff, with staff handovers, multiple visits and regular professional visits. They further distinguish the project from the typical family home.
“There is already limited parking – this will cause further increased pressure on Swallow Close.
“In the planning statement, it says it is a standard two-lane residential street. That’s incorrect.
“All residents are simply asking is, ‘Is it the right development in the right location?’
“We respectfully feel this is not the right location for the project, given the problems with parking.”
Carol Lathan, agent for the GMCA, told the hearing: “This service will help with the children’s incorporation and expectations of mainstream housing.
“The home will be regulated by Ofsted and will meet all the necessary physical and policy requirements.
“It is acknowledged that there has been public comment raised regarding the potential impact on the environment of properties, we have listened to these comments and made some amendments.
“The pattern and hours of activity at the dwelling will not be dissimilar to our current use as a large family dwelling.
“The proposed change will provide much-needed accommodation for children in a stable, community-based residential environment.”
All children accommodated will come from the Greater Manchester area, as Project Skyline consists of all 10 local authorities.
And the application was passed unanimously.