PLANS to create a children’s home in Hoyland have been approved by Barnsley Council’s planning board - less than a year after the local authority originally rejected the plans.
A bid to turn a property on Primrose Way into a new children’s care home for two kids was submitted to the council last year.
They would be living in the proposed premises need additional support to live within the community due to a variety of reasons such as past or present mental health challenges and complexities, and disablement.
The aim of the service was to ensure that they live as independent life as possible and reintegrate them to more independent living facilities.
A number of jobs would have also been created - but Barnsley Council’s planning board rejected the plans in August.
They were then re-submitted to the council the following month.
A report states: “The home will be registered as an emotional and behavioural home.
“Children will undergo a stringent impact risk assessment to ensure they integrate with the local community.
“This considers the home, the environment, the community, plus peers groups and assesses against each child as an individual prior to admission into the home.
“The children will live at the property long term, hopefully for many years.
“This is not a halfway house or emergency housing for children.
“The purpose of the home would be to support the children to build their confidence, help them in developing life skills and prepare them for life when they leave the home to fend for themselves.
“This type of support has been found to be most effective in helping these children to have normal lives and not experience problems in later life.”
The report also adds that those in the home will be asked to to communicate with residents on the street - and bosses said that concerns will be looked at immediately.
“Staff will be expected to help the children ‘looked after’ accept and respect the rights of others and in particular the immediate neighbours and local community,” it added.
“It is vital that staff and others accept the importance of their role in relation to the children’s home and the community within which it is situated.”
A total of 38 letters were sent to Barnsley Council by residents airing their concerns - which included impact on parking, it not being a suitable location and the potential ‘increase in crime and fear of crime’.
However, the council approved the plans earlier this week.
An officer report states: “It is acknowledged that there may be more cars parked during the changeover times, however, the applicant states that it is the company policy to encourage staff to use public transport and not to allow on street parking.
“Where the carers do not own their own cars, an electric/ hybrid vehicle will be available on site, however, this does not remain on site, and is to be used to transport the children, when necessary, e.g. to school or for other visits.
“Concerns have been raised in relation to an increase in noise and disturbance from the children occupying the property and the lack of outdoor space.
“The dwelling is orientated on an east-west axis with a driveway area to the front and a grassed garden area to the rear.
“Whilst this area is not enclosed, it is of a sufficient size to be classed as a garden/amenity space.
“In relation to the increase in noise and disturbance, it is not considered that a home for up to two children would give rise to an increase in noise and disturbance above that of a standard four-bedroom family dwelling.”
