Northumberland property will house children cared for by council after plans get the green light
Plans by Northumberland County Council to change a private residence near Morpeth into a supported home for young people have been approved.
A team of staff will look after four children in the care of the local authority at Fairwinds off Ulgham Lane – a road that runs between an area east of Longhirst Village and the village of Ulgham.
There were a total of 25 objections to the application. Concerns included the potential for anti-social behaviour, the suitability of the location for young people, proximity to the railway line and the safety of children at the site.
But the bid has been given the green light by council planning officers under delegated powers.
There were no objections from Northumbria Police and Network Rail, although a rail safety condition has been included and the relevant police teams will be informed about the change of use.
One of the objectors said in their submission: “Is this really the ideal setting for these children? What is there for these children on Ulgham Lane?
“There are no child/young person facilities of interest. There are no footpaths alongside the surprisingly busy lane for walking on. There is no lighting, no buses and there is no right to roam on surrounding agricultural and private land.
“What happens when these children inevitably become bored? How are they going to spend their free time and will they be constantly supervised?”
As previously reported, more than £2.1million is set to be spent acquiring the property and converting it into its new use.
Much of the funding to purchase the home is coming from the Department for Education, with the council putting in £458,000.
The planning officers’ report includes the following: “The site would be staffed 24 hours a day to ensure supervision and care for all children at the site.
“The care provider works in conjunction with the NHS, social workers and Ofsted to ensure that care is in accordance with relevant bodies with the operation managed safely.”
The rail safety condition states: “Prior to the first occupation of the proposed unit, a management plan containing appropriate details of mandatory rail safety training and risk assessments for all staff associated with operations at the site shall be submitted in writing to and approved by the local planning authority in consultation with Network Rail.”