Plans to turn Ipswich house into children’s home recommended approval despite ‘concerns’
It would cater to three young people between the ages of 11 and 17
Plans to turn a house into a children’s home in Ipswich have been recommended for approval despite ‘considerable concerns’.
The outcome of the plans, submitted by Mr Chima Philip, of Harlow, to turn 5 Coniston Square East into a managed four-bedroom children’s home, will be decided by members of Ipswich’s planning committee on Wednesday, November 11.
It would cater to three young people between the ages of 11 and 17 who have experienced behavioural, emotional and social difficulties or a breakdown in family life.
Although the plans have not received objections from neighbours, the Children and Young People’s (CYP) team at Suffolk County Council (SCC) stated they had ‘considerable concerns’ about the applicant’s lack of experience in children’s service provision.
According to the county council, Mr Philip has not informed the authority of his plans which suggested he had no intention to place any child from Suffolk at the property.
The CYP department goes on to add the location of the home was in a risky area for vulnerable children and it would not place any at the home regardless of it gaining Ofsted registration.
Similar concerns were shared within the constabulary’s objection to the proposals.
Despite these fears, officers have recommended the plans for approval, stating the planning system only deals with land-use planning issues.
In May, an application was refused for a change into a children’s home although the reason was the submission of inadequate information to determine whether the use represented a material change requiring planning permission.
Should planning committee members grant permission in line with the officers’ recommendation, the home will have two members of staff at any one time working on a shift basis.