Bedlington children's home decision delayed for site visit

Northumberland County Council’s planning committee has deferred proposals to convert a detached home on The Chesters into a children’s residential home.

Nutrix Homes’ application stated the property could accommodate up to three children with a minimum of two members of staff on site at all times.

Nutrix runs children’s homes across the UK and is an Ofsted-registered organisation with partnerships with councils, health services, and families.

Council officers recommended the plans for approval, citing the location’s proximity to community facilities, key services, schools, employment opportunities, and public transport.

However, 20 objections to the plans have been raised, citing concerns ranging from parking and highways to noise and disturbance.

The council’s estates, highways, or education teams did not raise an objection or uphold objectors’ concerns.

The council’s report also stated: “The proposal would result in the provision of employment within the county by allowing for the necessary residential space for children requiring a home, in turn enhancing their wellbeing.”

Council officers’ written submissions also stated the proposal is for up to three vulnerable children within an existing house, and that it is of “minor scale rather than a large new build residential institution”. The scale of activity within the house was not considered “significant” with the site managed by the carers supervising the children.

While there were attempts to reject the application, the motion to conduct a site visit was eventually passed by a majority.