'It will be a true home for children' - Plan for Telford children’s home is passed unanimously despite objections
Plans to change a house in a Donnington cul-de-sac into a home for vulnerable chidlren have been approved by a unanimous vote despite a flurry of objections from neighbours.
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The applicant for the change of use of the house in High Mount appealed to planners that the property would be used for “two vulnerable children to call home.”
Objector, Councillor Lisa Dugmore, representing Donnington & Muxton Parish Council, said they had received “many representations from members of the public.”
“It is in the middle of an elderly residential area,” she told Telford & Wrekin Council’s planning committee on Wednesday (February 5).
She appealed for councillors not to approve the plan “in its current form".
Applicant Chukwuemeka Madumere said the property would be used a “home for children who do not have support".
“It will be a true home for children to feel safe, for emotional support and to have a place to grow.
“We will be ensuring that vulnerable children have a place to call home. It will be a home, not an institution. It will be a positive addition to the local community.”
The committee was told that the two children would be aged between seven and 17. This, they were told, could make it like any other family home already in the area.
The four-bed chalet would have four parking spaces and a garage for two members of staff and one manager. Planners considered that to be a good provision which would not add to pavement parking in the area.
Councillor Peter Scott said for similar applications many of the objections were “based on fear of what these young people might do".
“It is going to be two kids who need care.
“I don’t see anything bad about this - we have a duty to care for children.”
Councillor Giles Luter told the committee that he would be supporting this scheme despite earlier objecting to a similar plan in his own ward.
But he said that after a while, after renovations were completed, there have been no issues.
“I was wrong with that application,” he said.
“Now I have to support applications like this.”
Councillor Amrik Jhawar said: “It is a good application. We need children to live in a family atmosphere and I support this application.”
The planning committee voted unanimously to approve the plan.
