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Children’s home plan sparks row

Tom Rowley
14/ 2/2007

RESIDENTS are up in arms over a proposal for a former clinic to be turned into a children's home.

It is intended that the detached property on Denton Road, Audenshaw - last used as a clinic on the ground floor with residential accommodation above - be converted into a home for up to five children, with eight members of staff providing around the clock care.

MP Andrew Gwynne says he shares residents' concerns. "The building backs on to a very busy main road and there have been a number of problems on that stretch of the road involving large gangs of young people and anti-social behaviour," he said. "Residents are concerned that this is not an ideal location for a children's home." He added that the local Homewatch group had drawn up a petition against the planning application which attracted 75 names.

Wendy Brelsford, chairwoman and secretary of Homewatch, added: "Because it's a private home, once the council grants planning permission it will have no control over what kind of children will be living there.

"Youths already gather (on the road) and having disturbed children living there will only add to the problems in the area. Residents are concerned as it's them who will have to live near the home."

Councillor Colin White also objects and requested the application be determined by Tameside Council's speakers' panel yesterday (Wednesday).

"The home would be too close to a busy main road and there are no facilities for outside recreation at all," he said. "It's also very close to Egerton Park Arts College and faces an off-licence. It will be a private home, so we have concerns over how it will be regulated."

Planning officers recommended the council approve the application at the panel, noting that the applicant, Miss PW Long, is excluding children with a "history of extreme anti-social behaviour" provided conditions are met.

These include a maximum of five children being resident at any one time and a 1.8metre-high wall or fence being built along the side and rear boundaries of the building.