Kids' home plan suffers setback

Change to the number of care staff prompts refusal

- Gary Porter

PLANS to turn a detached four-bed house into a children's home have been dealt a blow.

It is proposed to turn 59 Heath House Lane, in Bucknall, above, into a residential home for two children aged between three and 17.

Applicant Capstone Therapeutic Care had a certificate of lawfulness application approved by Stoke-on-Trent City Council last year. However, at the request of Ofsted, a new application was submitted to the local authority as the education watchdog requires 'more flexibility to the terms of the certificate as granted.'

The new proposal seeks to increase the number of care staff allowed at the site. As a result, planning officers say this is 'a material change requiring planning permission' and therefore the certificate of lawfulness cannot be granted.