Minutes:
The consultation procedure undertaken was outlined in the report together with background information in respect of the site.
It was noted that this application was deferred from the last meeting of the Development Control Committee held on 10 August 2009, as it was resolved that more information was required from the Police and Community Safety Team in terms of issues around anti-social behaviour and disruption to the local community.
The Committee was advised that further comments had been received from the local Police Inspector who commented on an existing establishment within the vicinity of the site. The Police Inspector advised the establishment provided homes for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, broken homes and some suffered from behavioural problems which lead to the committing of crimes from theft to anti-social behaviour that had a large impact on police resources.
The Neighbourhood Policing Team fully acknowledged the requirement to house and support these children and develop the social skills in order to help them back into the community, there had to be a limitation on the amount of children taken into one particular area. The Neighbourhood Policing Team were of the view that if this Application was agreed it would increase demand from the police to deal with issues relating to these young persons from an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour.
The Committee was further advised that if the application was approved then the Widnes Neighbourhood Policing Team would deal with the issues that arose from the tenants and whilst the Inspector did not oppose the application the above information should be taken into consideration.
Members were informed of correspondence from the Director of Health and Communities which stated they had grave reservations regarding the proximity of the proposed care home to the older peoples home which was located across the road.
In relation to the lack of provision of private amenity space it was reported that the site was located within a town centre location, such areas were characterised by high density properties with little or no private amenity space. Furthermore it was noted that there was no specific policy or standards for the provision of private amenity space for such establishments (C2 use). The Committee was informed that taking into consideration this lack of private amenity space could not be upheld as a reason for refusal.
Ms Tierney from Contiuum Care and Education Group addressed the Committee and spoke in favour of the application and raised points such as the safeguarding of the children, the benefit and support offered to the young people and the alternative option of young people taking accommodation with private landlords and the negative effect this would have on children not receiving the benefit of care and support offered to them through living in a care home.
Ward Councillor Philbin addressed the Committee and spoke against the application raising concerns regarding the location of the care home in relation to its proximity to the older people’s home and other similar units within 200mtrs of the proposed site.
The Committee held a wide ranging discussion and felt that whilst there was a need for this type of centre however not in the proposed location and agreed to refuse the application with authority being delegated to the Operational Director Environmental and Regulatory Services in conjunction with Legal Services to construct the refusal notice.
RESOLVED: That the application be refused due to the proposed use being in appropriate for the area because it would:
The proposal is therefore contrary to policy BE1 of the Halton Unitary Development Plan and the Council has paid particular consideration to the requirements of Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act.