Councillor airs children's home plan concerns

A COUNCILLOR has revealed his opposition to a proposed new residential children's home in an East Cleveland village.

- By STUART ARNOLD Local democracy reporter [e-mail] @TeessideLive

The potential operator, Moonrise 24, is hoping to secure change of use planning permission for the former Toad Hall Arms pub at the extreme end of the High Street in Moorsholm, an application having recently been lodged with Redcar and Cleveland Council.

It would accommodate and care for up to five children aged between five and 18 years old with learning needs, some with neurodiverse conditions.

Now a six-bedroomed detached house, it had been advertised as suitable for a variety of residential/commercial uses before being sold by a local estate agent.

In a letter submitted to the local planning authority, Lockwood ward councillor Steve Kay said his consideration of the application had involved “much soul searching”, but there were grounds on which he wished to object.

He said: “A children’s home would be an anomaly in this part of Moorsholm. [It] is a small, isolated village with few amenities. The inhabitants are mainly adults.