Residents object to plans to increase staffing at children’s home over traffic and parking fears
Plans to increase staffing at a children’s home in Dinnington have sparked objections from residents who fear the change could lead to more traffic and parking problems on their street.
The application, submitted to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, relates to a property on Swinston Hill Road which was granted permission last year to operate as a home for up to three children.
The new proposal would amend conditions attached to that approval, allowing three staff members to be on duty instead of two, alongside an additional staff member when required. The changes are intended to update the staff rota following discussions with Ofsted about safeguarding requirements.
However, the proposal has prompted 24 objections from residents, who say increasing staff numbers could lead to more vehicles and congestion on the residential road.
Some objectors warned that the changes would “completely change the dynamic” of the original scheme, while others argued the driveway parking arrangements are unworkable and could force cars onto the street, creating road safety issues near a junction.
Dinnington St John’s Town Council has also raised concerns, saying the property may not be large enough to accommodate the level of staffing and visiting professionals associated with the home.
The application also seeks to amend a condition requiring marked parking spaces at the property. The applicant says this is necessary because the parking area has been laid with gravel, meaning the spaces cannot be painted.
In response to the objections, the proposed care home manager said the changes were requested to ensure children placed at the home are properly safeguarded and supported.
They said the home would still accommodate a maximum of three children, and the revised rota would allow three staff members to be present across a full 24-hour period, rather than increasing the number of residents.
Council highways officers said Swinston Hill Road can safely accommodate some on-street parking and that the widened driveway at the property can hold up to five vehicles.
Planning officers acknowledged the concerns raised but concluded the increase in staffing would only result in a modest rise in vehicle movements, mainly during daytime hours, and would be comparable to activity associated with a large family household.
The application has been recommended for approval, subject to revised conditions, and will be decided by councillors because of the number of objections received.