Residents' plea over Blackpool children's home bid

Town hall planners are recommending approval

More than 70 people signed a petition objecting to an application by Outbound Care Ltd to use a property on Norbreck Road in Blackpool as a home for up to two children aged between eight and 17.

The application was deferred at the last meeting of the council’s planning committee after it emerged a similar facility for up to four young people operated less than 400 metres away, meaning the proposed new home contravened council policy.

But planners are recommending the scheme is approved when it goes back before councillors on Tuesday as they say the existing accommodation on Norbreck Road is an “assisted living facility” for 16 to 18-year-olds, and not a children’s home.

A report to the committee says the premises are “not within the same use class” and so the 400 metre restriction should not apply.

But residents say the council is misinterpreting its own rules to the detriment of their neighbourhood where many residents are elderly and disabled.

They fear potentially having two sets of teenagers living in supervised homes so close to each other will increase the risk of anti-social behaviour.

Peter and Janet Kerrone, of Norbreck Road, who have co-ordinated opposition to the plans, say residents just want the council to stick to its own policies.

Mrs Kerrone said: “We are hoping the committee will recognise the similarities between the two properties in relation to providing supported accommodation for 16 and 17-year-olds.

“The 400 metre rule was introduced for all the right reasons.

“It was to prevent the proliferation of similar care facilities being concentrated in any one area.

“If this is approved, the committee will have created the very situation which they profess they are trying to avoid.”

The concerns come following a flurry of planning applications to open small children’s homes in former family houses.

Applications to use properties in Freemantle Avenue and Lancaster Road for two children were approved at the last meeting of the planning committee despite objections from the public with 114 people signing a petition.