Plans to convert a house into a care home for young people have been refused.

Therapeutic Care Ltd wanted to acquire the site in Preston Road, Longridge, to be used by children in care and their carers.

The company, based in Blackpool, was looking for a Lawful Development Certificate from Ribble Valley Borough Council, but has been told its proposal will require planning permission.

A decision notice from the council said: “The proposed use has been assessed as a residential institution, and by virtue of the significant additional comings and goings of staff and vehicular movements likely to arise from both the level of care and the rotational nature of shift patterns, the proposal would constitute a material change of use of the property.

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“As such, the proposal would require planning permission.”

Therapeutic Care Ltd said in a planning statement submitted to the council there would be no physical internal changes and no alterations to external parts of the building.

It said: “The only use changes to rooms downstairs is that the bedroom becomes a staff room.

“Upstairs, two of the bedrooms become bedrooms for children, and one for overnight staff.

“The specifically proposed use is for two children and up to two members of staff, but these members of staff would be rotated according to a rota. Other members of staff providing care would be utilised as necessary.”

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The company added that children who would have been homed there would be vulnerable young people taken into care by the social services authority.

Objections were also raised by residents of Preston Road, who said they did not feel the development was “the correct thing for the area” and that the introduction of a business to the street would “detract from the sense of community of the road.”

Therapeutic Care Ltd will have six months from the date of the refusal to object the council’s decision.