COUNCILLORS have unanimously rejected 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, had 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 had been deferred while borough planning manager Simon Prideaux took legal advice before preparing a full report for the September meeting on Wednesday last week.

It told councillors: "The applicant proposes to use the existing dwellinghouse to provide permanent residential accommodation for children (age range from five 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.

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

Edward Smethurst, chairman of Altham Business Park-based Trinity Care, spoke in favour of the granting of the certificate while a local resident spoke against.

Hyndburn Council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson also spoke in favour of the officer's recommendation to reject the application.

Cllr Addison said afterwards: "I am pleased the certificate was refused. I hope it sets a precedent for future similar applications."

Committee chairman Eamonn Higgins said: "The granting of the certificate was unanimously refused. Each similar application will be considered on its merits."