A PROPOSAL to turn a detached family house into a care home for children has been turned down by planners concerned about the growing number of such conversions.

North West Youth Services sought to convert Higher Feniscowles Farm in Links Lane, Pleasington, into a children’s home.

Blackburn with Darwen Council planners rejected their application for a Certificate of Lawful Development to make the change.

An officer's report says: "A Certificate of Lawful Development is sought for the change of use of the property from a single four / five bed dwelling with a single person or people living together as a family to a children’s home for a maximum of three children (aged eight to 18) with two carers sleeping overnight.

"Within the past three years, there has been an increasing number of Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed use of dwelling houses as residential and supported accommodation for children and young people being submitted to Blackburn With Darwen Borough Council.

"The availability of relatively large properties within the borough at reasonable prices are understood to be a key driver behind this trend.

"As uses established through a Certificate of Lawfulness are not subject to council controls in terms of occupancy, operators could elect to accommodate children and young people placed by other authorities.

"This has two key implications: vulnerable children with complex needs are brought into the borough placing additional strain on already pressurised local public services; and Blackburn With Darwen Council needs to manage its local accommodation to meet the needs within the borough.

"Through close liaison with the council’s Children’s Services team, it is disputed that a children’s home would not be materially different to a typical family home.

"A children’s home must be Ofsted registered in order to lawfully operate and have an approved care plan.

"A typical family home would not require such stringent and regimented management.

"Although these requirements may not in themselves be appreciable outside the home, they indicate that children’s homes are different in character and day-to-day operation to typical domestic arrangements.

"Furthermore, the transient nature of child care would be in contrast to a typical family home.

"For these reasons, it is considered that the proposed use of the property would result in a materially greater level of activity arising from comings and goings than an ordinary family home.

"It has been established that residential children’s homes are attractive financial ventures and this has resulted in increased pressure for such provision.

"It is further established that the children placed in such homes are frequently those with the most significant and complex needs.

"The overall conclusion is that the change of use that would occur would be sufficiently substantial in terms of character and impact as to be material in planning terms.

"On this basis, a Certificate of Lawfulness should rightfully be refused."