A care company has had two proposals to turn family houses into small children’s care homes rejected and two approved by councillors.
They were at 30 Epping Avenue in Altham and 100 Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle. Councillors were concerned about traffic, parking and the amenity of nearby residents.A fifth similar bid by another company – Residential Child Care Community Ltd – in Waverley Road, Baxenden, was given planning permission.
Addressing the meeting on Wednesday on behalf of Epping Avenue local resident Jonathan Chadwick said: “These homes have a significant increase in visitors such as staff, social workers and health professionals and would be above the expected level of a similar family home. His case was supported by Altham Parish Council chairman Cllr Rennie Pinder and ward Cllr Parkinson who both spoke a the meeting. Giving evidence to the committee Trinity Care director Edward Smethurst said there was demand both locally and nationally for such small homes to help vulnerable children with his company having received seven requests for placements in 48 hours from lancashire-county-council>Lancashire County Council.