Brinscall Care submit plans for Horwich children's home

The plans were submitted on June 15 by Mr Mark Twiname of Brinscall Care to turn 98 Pennine Road, Horwich into a residential children's home for up to four occupants.

The property is currently a Class 3 residential dwelling, located in what the application statements notes is a 'residential area'.

The planning document stated: "The proposal is to register the property as a registered children's home for a maximum of four children aged from five to 17 years.

"The proposed children’s home seeks to replicate, as closely as possible, a normal family environment. The model is to create a warm and nurturing family style environment for the medium to long-term care of a small number of children.

"This type of provision is operated in the same manner as a regular three family home to ensure that the children have as much consistency and stability as possible.

"This type of provision, which government policy is promoting, is to help children who often, through no fault of their own, have not had good parenting in their early years.

Ground floor and first floor layout (Image: Bolton Council)

"Without such homes and positive interventions, the children are more likely to end up in adult institutions, suffering from long term health problems.

"This will be the applicants first children’s home in Bolton, however they successfully operate a number of homes in Chorley and neighbouring authorities."

Brinscall care is a regulated OFSTED care provider, working with many children around the North West.

Their website states: "Our purpose is to work with and support children and their families by bringing stability and safety back into their lives.

"We create and embed foundations of trust and responsibility because we recognise the impact these have in achieving change and positive outcomes."

The application is a 'change of use' application, meaning there will be 'very little change' to the interior or exterior of the property if plans are accepted.