New children’s home in Sheffield suburb set for approval despite dozens of objections

If granted planning permission in a meeting next week, 6 Bishopdale Rise, Mosborough, will be transformed into a children’s home for up to three residents.

Currently, the building has two large living rooms and a kitchen on the ground floor with four bedrooms on the first floor. This layout would be retained with the master en-suite bedroom doubling as an office and staff sleeping accommodation.

The home would be for children, both in and outside of Sheffield between the ages of seven and 11 who would be expected to stay between 12 and 18 months or possibly longer.

Children living in the home may have suffered abuse or neglect and be removed from their families.

The aim of the home, which would be registered with Ofsted, would be to help the children recover from trauma before they are placed back with their family or moved to a foster home.

There would be two staff on overnight duty and during the day there would be up to four staff on duty and a manager.

In total, 66 objections were made by members of the public to the plans, mostly from nearby residents, along with a petition signed by 81 people. Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East was one of the objectors.

Concerns raised included increased traffic and parking problems, lack of playgrounds, green space and community halls for children, anti social behaviour and impact on house prices.

There was one letter of support received too, from the owner of the property.

They said there was a shortage of care homes in Sheffield and the development would help vulnerable children, the property can accommodate four cars on the drive and the estate is suitable.

Council officers recommended it be approved conditionally at a planning and highways committee meeting next Tuesday.

In a report they said: “Whilst it is a residential institution the character of the use is similar to that of a dwelling house.

“The key differences relate to the number of vehicle movements and the potential for additional on street parking. Whilst there are likely to be small increases in both which may cause some additional disturbance and nuisance from time to time, the impact is likely to be relatively minor and not significantly different to living next to a busy household with four cars.

“It is not considered it will give rise to significant safety or amenity concerns such that they could justify refusing planning permission especially when taking into account the social benefits of the facility.

“The council’s children and young people’s service advised they use independent children’s homes to place some of Sheffield’s children in care. There are insufficient placements currently locally and nationally which makes it difficult to find the right placements for children and young people and more placements are needed in the city.

“Therefore, there is a clear need for facilities and this fits with the National Planning Policy Framework requirement to meet the differing housing needs of the community, as such this benefit should be given weight in determining this application.”