NEW CHILDREN’S HOME PLAN COULD MEAN THE END OF A ‘TRANQUIL’ CUL-DE-SAC

Residents say a new children’s home in their neighbourhood could mean the end of their “tranquil” cul-de-sac.

Salford council today granted planning permission to convert a house at 8 Kersal Bank into a children’s home for five young people aged 11 to 17 with ‘complex needs’.

The property is based in a residential area, off a cul-de-sac via Radford Street.

Children at the home will have ’round-the-clock’ care, with a home manager present between 9am and 5pm on weekdays.

There will also be regular access to the property ‘from visitors including social workers.’

At a council meeting at Salford Civic Centre today (June 20), neighbours said converting the property to a children’s home would have an “overbearing” impact on their lives and community.

One objector, Mr Isaac, lives next door to the property with his wife and “neurodivergent” daughter.

He told councillors:

“The recommendation to approve the plan should be rejected, there would be an unacceptable increase in noise and disturbance, it’s more akin to a 24/7 commercial operation.

“The financial benefit to the applicant is at the expense of the neighbours. It would have an overbearing impact on our lives and my vulnerable child with special needs, we would have to move if this is approved.”

Conservatives Bob Clarke and Robin Garrido opposed the scheme.

Mr Clarke said he was “really concerned” about the layout of the property, which would see some children needing to walk downstairs through a number of rooms to access the bathroom.

He added:

“While I’m sympathetic to the children, I’m also sympathetic to the person next door. It’s in the wrong place.

“It’s next to a normal home where people live and sleep, I will not be supporting it.”

Coun Garrido said:

“I think it will have a detrimental effect on the property, I do not feel the policy to protect the surrounding area has been adhered to.

“The second reason is the access to the property and the effect the traffic will have.”

A spokesperson on behalf of the application said there are many children in the UK who could benefit from living in children’s homes.

He added:

“I understand that there will be changes, however the home has been within the same family who have lived there for decades.

“She [the owner] has spent the last 25 years as a social worker across the UK supporting young children.”

Barbara Paul, who spoke in objection to the scheme, said:

“It’s a tranquil cul-de-sac, I fear this will be lost if this application is approved.”

The application got the green light from councillors, with Mr Garrido and Mr Clarke voting against.