Agenda item

Proposal: Change of use from C3 (dwellinghouse) to C2 (residential institution)

Location: Pointon House, 25 High Street, Pointon, NG34 0LX

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning & Growth to authorise planning permission, subject to conditions.

Proposal: Change of use from C3 (dwellinghouse) to C2 (residential institution)

Location: Pointon House, 25 High Street, Pointon, NG34 0LX

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning & Growth to authorise planning permission, subject to conditions.

 

Noting comments in the public speaking by:

 

District Ward Councillor                                Councillor Richard Dixon-Warren

Against                                                          Tom Wright

Applicant                                                       Natalie Daysmith

 

Together with:

 

-       Provisions within SKDC Local Plan 2011-2036, National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Design Guidelines for Rutland and South Kesteven Supplementary Planning Document.

-       Comments received from Environmental Protection.

-       Comments received from Highways (LCC).

-       Comments received from Ward Councillor.

-       No comments received from Lincolnshire Police – Designing Out Crime Officer.

-       Comments received from Environment Agency.

-       No comments received from LCC Children’s Care Homes Officer.

 

The following comments were made by public speakers:

 

-       Concerns over vehicle and parking movements with staff and visitors.

-       Issues around noise being detrimental to the character of the area and occupiers of nearby residential properties.

-       Lack of information provided on staff shift patterns.

-       Potential anti-social behaviour from children residing in the property.

-       It was highlighted that there were no activities in the area for children or young adults.

-       Traffic calming measures in the village were requested.

 

During questions to public speakers, Members commented on the following:

 

-       One Member queried whether any children lived in the village at present.

 

The public speaker confirmed children did live in the village in quiet communities with stable families.

 

-       One Member requested the applicant addressed other speakers concerns of anti-social behaviour.

 

 

The applicant confirmed she had not received any complaints in other homes, over the last 13 years of working in children’s homes. It was felt children’s homes were stereotyped.

 

-       One Member queried whether the children homed in the house would originate in Lincolnshire.

 

The applicant clarified that Lincolnshire children were always prioritised to be homed and would be encouraged to build relationships within the community.

 

-       It was further queried what age the children would be.

 

It was confirmed children residing in the property would be between 7-17 years old, subject to Ofsted approval. Following turning 17, the home would work with relevant authorities and families to discuss the most suited accommodation for their needs. 

 

During questions to officers and debate, Members commented on the following:

 

-       Whether the boundary condition could include possible access gates for security of the children.

-       Whether trees could be assessed potentially for a TPO on amenity grounds.

 

The boundary treatment condition could specify the Council expect to see gates on the access once details were submitted.

 

A request had been made to the Council’s Tree Officer to assess the trees on site for a TPO.

 

-       Whether an advisory could be added to Lincolnshire County Council (Highways) to add traffic calming measures around the site.

 

Final Decision:

 

To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning & Growth to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions:

 

Time Limit for Commencement

 

1          The development hereby permitted shall be commenced before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

 

Reason: In order that the development is commenced in a timely manner, as set out in Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

 

Approved Plans

 

2          The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following list of approved plans:

i.      Location Plan received 11 July 2025

ii.     Parking Allocation Plan received 14 July 2025

Unless otherwise required by another condition of this permission.

 

Reason: To define the permission and for the avoidance of doubt.

 

Prior to Commencement

 

3          Prior to any works to the boundary treatments commencing, details of a plan indicating the heights, positions, design, materials and type of boundary treatment to be erected shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The works to provide the boundary treatments must only be completed in accordance with the approved boundary treatment details prior to the occupation of the building for the use hereby permitted.

 

Reason: To provide a satisfactory appearance to any boundary treatments and by screening rear gardens from public view, in the interests of the privacy and amenity of the occupants of the proposed and neighbouring dwellings and in accordance with Policy DE1 of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan.

 

Notwithstanding the submitted details, before any part of the development hereby permitted is commenced, a Parking Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The Parking Management Plan shall include the following details:

 

- A plan indicating the location of all parking spaces

 

- A swept path analysis demonstrating the suitability of the parking spaces for all staff and visitors.

 

- Details of any hard and soft landscaping to be provided to facilitate the parking arrangements; and

 

Where necessary, a Arboricultural Impact Assessment and Tree Protection Plan detailing measures to ensure the protection of the existing trees during the implementation of the approved parking scheme.

 

Thereafter, the approved details shall also be implemented prior to first use of the development and shall be retained and maintained for the lifetime of the development.

 

Reason: To ensure that the proposed development does not result in any unacceptable adverse impacts on trees and in the interests of the character and appearance of the area.

 

 

Ongoing conditions

 

4          Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (or any order revoking and re-enacting that order with or without modification) the premises shall be used only as a children's care home for up to four children and for no other purpose (including any other use falling within Class C2 of the Order).

 

Reason: To define the permission as other uses within Class C2 would require further assessment.

 

1          The operational details of the business as detailed within the 'Statement of Purpose' received on 8 October 2025 must be implemented on commencement of the approved use and be strictly adhered to throughout the continuation of the approved use unless otherwise agreed by the local planning authority.

 

Reason: In order to protect the residents of the care home and the surrounding residential properties in accordance with DE1 of the SKDC Local Plan