Yahoo News Controversial Hyndburn care home approved after councillor visit
A controversial proposal to turn a semi-detached family house in Great Harwood into a small care home has been given the go-ahead after councillors were impressed by a visit to the premises. Ikhlaq Ahmed of the Blackburn-based Aspire Care Network, Blackburn can now convert 2A Allsprings Drive.
He originally applied for the change in August 2024. Since then, the scheme has been debated by hyndburn-council>Hyndburn Council planning committee twice in July and October.
On the last occasion the item was deferred for a site visit by councillors. At its meeting on Wednesday (November 13) the committee voted to approve the scheme after councillors were given a guided tour of the two-storey three-bedroomed property.
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Cllr Judith Addison – who has previously criticised the ‘mushrooming’ growth of such small care homes in the borough – seconded the motion to approve the scheme.
The Immanuel ward Conservative said: “I was very impressed when we went on the site visit.”
Committee chairman Cllr Dave Parkins, who has worked in the child care sector, proposed approval.
The Huncoat Labour councillor said: “I was also impressed. The environment was great. Really welcoming.”
Mr Ahmed told the meeting he wished to set up a high quality care home for a maximum of two local children so they could stay close to their network of friends and family. The application has been brought before the meeting at the request of Overton ward’s Cllr Scott Brerton because of concerns about residential amenity, highways, parking and traffic and objections from five neighbouring residents concerning inadequate parking. out-door noise, music playing and anti-social behaviour.
Planning officer Adam Birkett told the meeting: “The proposed change of use of the dwelling house to a children’s care home would be likely to have minimal adverse impact on the amenity of neighbouring dwelling houses or the residential area generally. The Highway Authority is content with the proposal as regards matters of highway safety.”
