Children's home plans set for approval

Retrospective plans for a children's home near Scarborough are set to be approved despite concerns over police incidents and anti-social behaviour.

North Yorkshire councillors will be asked to green-light plans for the Ofsted-regulated children's home in Brompton-by-Sawdon.

Residents had also raised concerns for the safety of children living there due to the home's proximity to a main road.

A council report said a risk assessment had been completed regarding the use of the property, while planners said it would be limited to two children at any one time due to the high levels of support required.

The three-bed residential house is for two children or young people up to the age of 18 who are within the care of North Yorkshire Council and would be regulated by the council's Children and Families Service and Ofsted, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Staff members are on site throughout the day.

Approving the scheme would not be detrimental to highway safety or neighbouring amenity, North Yorkshire Police said.

But the force noted that in a 12-month period there were 23 incidents at the premises which had an "obvious impact on demand for police services".

Margaret Collinson, a neighbouring resident, said: "The police are there every few weeks and this isn't fair for surrounding neighbours to see or hear this."

She also added her concerns around the main road, which would become busy during peak times, while five objections were made by residents with questions over the safety of both children and neighbours.

Brompton-by-Sawdon Parish Council added the property had given rise to "local disruption".

No objections were made by the Highway Authority, North Yorkshire Police or the council's housing team.

A council report said the level of use at the property was not "materially different" to that of a three-bed family home.

The Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee is set to discuss the proposal on Thursday.

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