Councillors to consider plans to use Melton residential property as children's care home

Plans have been submitted to Melton Borough Council for the scheme on a development off Burton Road, with the property slated to offer 24-hour care for up to three youngsters aged between eight and 17.

Council officials are recommending members of the planning committee approve the application because they say it would be a small-scale care home which would not disturb neighbours living in an established residential development.

However, the proposals prompted 25 letters of objection from residents and opposition from ward councillors representing that part of town.

Melton Craven Ward councillors Ian Atherton and Sharon Butcher lodged objections on the grounds the scheme would further increase parking issues with space already at a premium due to staff and visitors attending the nearby Melton Learning Hub.

They also say the location is inappropriate due to safeguarding concerns, there would be noise and disturbance from comings and goings from the property and that the open green space would be a magnet for the children.

Councillor Simon Lumley also opposes the plan due to the potential for anti-social behaviour and the possible lowering of local property prices.

Neighbours have written to the council to raise similar concerns and to say they were not adequately consulted.

Applicants, Skylight 21 Homes Ltd, say in their proposals that two carers would be at the home at any one time and that an average placement would be around 12 months.

The children would not be educated on the site, but it is possible that some therapeutic care would be carried out at the property, they say.

Both Leicestershire County Council Highways and Melton Borough Council’s environmental health department do not oppose the plan.

Borough council planning officials state in a paper to go before the committee: “The small-scale nature of the proposal, with no more than three children and two carers at any one time, is considered appropriate in a residential area and would not result in a use that is materially different to that of a typical residential household.”