New storm over plan to convert end-terraced house into a children's home

A NEW storm has broken over proposals to convert an end-terraced house into a children’s home.

The scheme in Farnworth Road, Penketh, Warrington, has already been discussed by the borough council’s development management committee – and deferred because councillors want more information.

Warrington Borough Council planning officers recommended the scheme for a children’s home be approved – but the committee was told there had been strong opposition from nearby residents and members put off a decision.
Now a letter has been sent to committee chairman Cllr Steve Parish outlining further objections from more than 50 residents of Walkers Lane and Shaftesbury Avenue, Penketh.
Some of them attended the committee meeting on August 17 when the matter was deferred.
They say they were supporting the Farnworth Road objectors and were also concerned about a similar application in respect of a family property in Walkers Lane.
The Farnworth Road application is from the borough council’s own social care department and the property has been used as a children’s home previously. But the Walkers Lane proposal is from a private care company.

Residents say when the Farnworth Road property was used as a children’s home previously, neighbours had to endure years of crime, anti-social behaviour and disruptive behaviour. There were similar problems when a property in Walkers Lane was used as a children’s home.
Recently there have been similar issues at a property in Isherwood Close, Fearnhead.
Elderly residents living near to the application sites have described themselves as being “terrified” at the prospect of another children’s home being opened.
The objectors commend the borough council for expanding the number of children’s homes in Warrington. But they should be in areas where there is no impact on existing residents.

In the last 12 months there have been six applications for children’s homes from private care companies. But in the last four years, there have been none south of the Manchester Ship Canal. The objectors ask if the private care companies are being allowed to decide how much they are prepared to spend on a property, resulting in an uneven distribution.
“We challenge the committee to visit and talk to the local residents living in close proximity to the privately- or council-run children’s homes approved by Warrington Borough Council in the last few years (including Isherwood Close, Fearnhead).5 We think you will get a reality check. “
*In June 2021, Warrington-Worldwide reported that police had secured a closure order on a property in Walkers Lane, Penketh, following numerous complaints of anti-social behaviour and disorder.