Locals fury over children's care home plan that 'will destroy' quiet Bedworth street

[dutchman]

They claim the plan to turn a semi-detached property into a care home is 'totally unsuitable'



Locals have united to object to plans to open a children's care home on their quiet Bedworth street. They claim that the plans to turn a semi-detached house on Gallagher Road into a private 24/7 children’s care home will bring 'disruption, noise, safety concerns, and serious legal challenges.'

A planning application has been submitted for 73 Gallagher Road, which is up for sale, to be used as a children's care home for three children aged between eight and 18. Residents say that it is the wrong location for what they claim is a private business.

“This property is totally unsuitable," said one mum, who did not want to be identified. "There’s a flat roof directly accessible from a bedroom. It’s even listed as part of the fire escape plan. How is that safe for the kids or for us?”

They claim that as the property is semi-detached, 'noise, conflict, and overnight handovers' will be heard through shared walls. They also claim that the move within a residential street could set a 'dangerous precedent'.

“If this is allowed, it sets a dangerous precedent. Any semi or terraced house in the borough could be next,” said a neighbour. They claim they will pursue legal action if the plan goes ahead and are encouraging the applicant to withdraw the purchase now to avoid “a costly and exhausting battle”.

Newly elected Bedworth central Warwickshire County councillor George Finch has joined their campaign and, after meeting with residents, claimed that it was a 'dangerous and disruptive' proposal.

"As well as creating unprecedented disruption on a residential street with many vehicles coming and going throughout the day and night, the ill-thought-through plans pose a significant risk to children’s safety," he claimed. "With no fire escape plan and a potentially lethal flat roof, there is no doubt that this semi-detached house is wholly unsuitable for a 24/7 care home for children with complex needs."

He added: "It’s imperative that children are cared for adequately – this proposal would achieve the opposite, putting children at risk as well as disrupting the lives of local residents."

[dutchman]

The manager will be separate to the staff working with the children at the home. At times there will be an increase of staffing as shared above. This could see the full complement of 10 staff being present in the home at a given time, day or night."

ELEVEN full-time social workers to supervise THREE kids.

Tell me again why local councils are bankrupt?

[dutchman]

Children's care home plan withdrawn after concerns

Plans to open a children's care home in Bedworth have been withdrawn after concerns from residents.

The proposal would have seen a semi-detached property in Gallagher Road turned into a home for three children under the age of 18, however some neighbours believed the street was the wrong location and worried it could cause anti-social behaviour as well as parking issues.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, the local planning authority responsible, confirmed on Wednesday that the application had been withdrawn.

The BBC has approached the applicant for comment.

Sylvia May, 67, has lived on the road with her husband Alan for nearly 40 years.

She said she felt "frightened" and would be wary of confronting any children if there were to be any trouble as she feared she could be "attacked".

Mr May added that he was concerned the care home would "upset" the area and the children would "cause problems".

The planning application outlined that the property would operate with two staff on duty at all times and would have a driveway big enough for up to three cars.

Another resident, Natalie Morris, 58, who had lived on the street for 12 years, said the street was a "very peaceful area", however there had recently been a increase in the number of traffic issues.

Ms Morris was worried that the plans would lead to "an influx of staff members" and add pressure to parking.

The chief executive of Become, a charity for children in residential care, Katharine Sacks-Jones, told the BBC the proposal would have been no different to the house being put on the market.

"They [residents] don't know the children who will be living there the same as they wouldn't know a family who'd move in."

The plan was due to be decided on by the council's planning committee in July.