A house in East Lancashire will not become a children’s home after plans were refused by the council.

Ciara Beckett applied to Ribble Valley Borough Council to change the use of a semi-detached property in Whalley Road, Langho, from a dwelling to a residential home.

The home would have supported three children aged between 10 and 17 to “alleviate pressures surrounding children currently residing in unregulated provisions scattered around the country.”

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The council said the additional number of people who would be coming and going from the property would be “unsympathetic and incompatible” with its surroundings in a residential area.

A side extension to the house that was planned was also said to be of “poor design” and was an “unsympathetic and incongruous” addition to the property.

A planning statement submitted to the council said there would have been 10 staff working on a rota basis and sleeping overnight at the address, with shift changes taking place between 10.30am and 11am, ensuring little disruption.

They also said with no more than four staff on-site at one time, the foot traffic would be similar to that of any residential home in which people leave for work and education.

The statement said: “During the day it is expected that the children would engage in education as would be the case in a residential family home.

"On occasion, the children may receive education in the home whilst awaiting a suitable educational placement.

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“The village of Langho will provide an excellent base for providing a safe and family environment for children and young people benefiting from its semi-rural location whilst maintaining easy transport links to other towns throughout the borough.

“The children and young people within our proposed service will not be subject to specific detaining orders, therefore in order to promote a nurturing and family environment they will be free to access community services and enjoy all that the Ribble Valley has to offer.”

Despite these representations, the council disagreed, with officers saying the planned use was not compatible with the area, meaning the plans were rejected.

The applicant will have six months to appeal the council’s decision if they wish.

To read the plans in full, visit the council’s planning website.