Councillors have been recommended to reject a move to turn a suburban house into a mother and baby home or residence for a child with special care needs.

The application by Trinity Care and Education Services Limited for the three-bedroomed property in Epping Avenue, Altham, sparked alarm from a senior councillor over the 'mushrooming industry' of such conversions.

The deputy chairman of Hyndburn Council’s planning committee Cllr Judith Addison raised concerns about the growth of applications for 'certificates of lawful use' for such proposals at its August meeting.

Many similar schemes for small care homes in domestic houses have been submitted to East Lancashire councils recently.

Consideration of the Epping Avenue application was deferred while borough planning manager Simon Prideaux prepared a full report for September's meeting on Wednesday.

It tells councillors: "In the light of both the concerns raised by local residents and the complexity of the issues raised when considering an application of this type, the council has sought legal advice.

"The applicant seeks certification that the proposed use is in the same use as the existing use, or, if not, whether the proposed use would not in any event comprise a material change of use, thereby, not requiring the planning permission.

"It is therefore necessary to consider two things: whether the proposed use is in the same use class as the existing use, and, if not, whether or not the proposed change of use would be 'material'.

"The applicant proposes to use the existing dwellinghouse to provide permanent residential accommodation for children (age range from 5 to 12 years) and up to three resident adult carers working shifts (including sleep in).

"It would not, however, meet the test 'residents living together as a single household'. The carers would not be truly living at the property in a way which would form a single household with the children.

"The activity is likely to be constant and at a higher level than that expected to be generated by the dwellinghouse in single household occupation.

"The primary purpose would be to provide care for the children in a manner that would have to bear scrutiny by outside agencies.

"The looked-after children may be transient residents.

"The property would be a place of work in addition to its residential purpose. It would be materially different in character and use from the likely use of the dwelling house used by a single household.

"For the above reasons the application is recommended for refusal."