A plan to change the use of a family house in Bacup into a children's care home has been refused after objections including overcrowding and 'cramped conditons', a lack of staff car parking and rubbish being burnt outside during refurbishment.
But it prompted various objections from residents and was called-in for scrutiny by councillors on Rossendale's development control committee. According to planning documents, one objector, G P Woodward, of Churchtown Crescent, wrote: "I and my wife, who reside less than 100 yards away, strongly object to this idea. The house isn't big enough nor is suitable parking available.
He added: "This property lies next to a sub-station and also an underground spring. This is a residential area so if this issue devalues the properties in this area, is the council going to reduce everyone’s council tax? This application is very vague and open to being abused. This has happened in other areas in Lancashire.
However, some children may need two-to-one staffing, so potentially there could be eight staff. Care staff would work 12 hour shifts and there is a driveway with space for two cars and land next to it, the application added.