Fears of 'increased chaos' fail to stop conversion of former children's home

PLANS to convert a former Chesterfield children’s care home into shared accommodation with 14 bedrooms have been approved despite concerns about parking, noise and over-development.

- By JON COOPER Local democracy reporter

Chesterfield Borough Council's planning committee approved Dovedale Property Ltd’s application to change the former Fairview House children’s home, on Sheffield Road, in Stonegravels, into a 14-bedroom ‘House in Multiple Occupation’ property with an office, cycle store and 15 parking spaces.

A council spokesperson said: “Overall, the proposal for a change of use to create a larger house of multiple occupancy to the property is considered to be acceptable in accordance with the policies of the Local Plan.”

The scheme involves the conversion of a large detached, vacant Victorian villa-style listed property with a large car park which dates back to the 1850s and is set back from Sheffield Road. It will feature 14 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms with five on the ground floor, five on the first floor and four in the loft, as well as a basement with washing machines and dryers in a utility room, a lounge, a ground floor kitchen and a dining room.