New children's home on Chorley New Road recommended to pass

Planning permission was previously sought to turn the property on Chorley New Road into a six-bedroom children's home were rejected, as it was deemed that the plans would create too much disturbance.

An amended plan was submitted in October by Mr K Ditta for only four bedrooms, which council officers are now recommending be accepted at the planning meeting at Bolton Town Hall on Thursday February 19, 2pm.

Front of the property (Image: MAA Planning)

Developer MAA Planning said: "The proposal aligns with these policies and material considerations by providing a community use that meets an identified local need, in a manner consistent with the character of the area, while ensuring there are no unacceptable impacts on amenity, parking, or highways safety.

"It will provide a safe, stable and nurturing home environment for vulnerable children while helping to meet the growing demand for regulated children’s care homes within Bolton.

It will operate in a manner consistent with a typical family household, thereby minimising any potential impact on neighbouring residents."

Proposed ground floor layout (Image: MAA Planning)

The developers are seeking to turn the property into a residential home for children with multiple or complex disabilities.

The plans indicate there will be two to three staff on during the day and two staff on at night, who's comings and goings some residents were concerned would lead to parking issues.

But the officer does not believe this to be the case, stating 'the existing site layout would allow for these vehicles to be parked on the driveway.'

According to the latest officer report, this new application seeks to amend the issue with the previous submission - the potential for disturbances - by reducing the number of bedrooms from six to four.

Propose first floor layout (Image: MAA Planning)

The property is 'generally well-screened', according to the report, providing good levels of privacy for the children living there.

Mr Ditta said: "The Bolton Council Commissioning Quality Assurance and Improvement Strategy 2024-2027 confirms that local services continue to rely on out-of-borough and high-cost placements due to a lack of local provision with necessary expertise.

"This demonstrates that there is a genuine need for specialist provision locally."

Rear of the property (Image: MAA Planning)

Despite this, the Children's Commission stated that there are already 'eight private registered children’s homes open in the Borough specialising in the care of children with physical/learning disabilities', indicating they did not think there was a need for the new home.

But the planning officer has dismissed this claim, stating the Children's Commission 'have not provided robust evidence to demonstrate that the change of use of the property would result in an oversupply of this type of facility.'