AN APPLICATION to create a children’s care home in Ogmore Vale, Bridgend, has been given the green light by the local planning committee, despite concerns from local residents.
The retrospective planning permission was requested for the change of use of a residential property on Walters Road, into a care home suitable for two children or young people.
Council bosses heard how those living at the property would range in age from 5 to 18 years old, and would include two members of staff being atthe property at all times when two children were present.
The application was considered to be retrospective in nature as Bridgend’s placements team advised members that they already had to move a single child to the property in advance of securing planning permission.
The site is located in Ogmore Vale, with the application saying that if approved, the two-storey semi-detached property would not need any internal or external alterations as part of the change of use.
A number of objections had been submitted by residents to Ogmore Vale Community Council, with the main focus being on the potential increase in congestion as a result of the change, and a rise in anti-social behaviour.
The report read: “The community council has received representations from local residents who are concerned that at the moment the property is a children’s home but that there may be a change of use for this facility to be used for prison leavers and/or those with substance abuse issues which will have a detrimental impact on the local community as well as adversely impacting local house prices.
“It is also understood that more activity may lead to parking and congestion issues, and it is likely that there will be an increased demand for ‘on road’ parking which will adversely affect existing residents.”
However, officers said the children living in the home were not offenders, and there was no evidence to suggest they would create disturbances or cause an increase in anti-social behaviour, adding that there would be care workers on the site 24/7.
The change of use for the care home was later approved by members of Bridgend County Borough Council’s planning committee by a unanimous decision.
