PLANS to build a children's home in a "quiet residential area" have been approved despite objections from the town council and neighbours who say they were not consulted beforehand.
Amergreen Children's Services sought an application to change the use of 4a Broad Halfpenny Lane, Tadley, RG26 3TF, to become a children's home.
The application was met with objections from not only neighbours but Tadley Town Council itself, who said the change would "fundamentally alter the residential character of the neighbourhood."
The application sought to change the use of an existing 4-bedroom dwellinghouse to a children's home, housing here children under the ward of the local authority to live in the property.
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It is anticipated it would be the long-term home for the children for at least a year, with no more than two members of staff at the property at one time.
In a statement published on August 9, 2024, Nicki Barry, Tadley Town Council Clerk, said: "Broad Halfpenny Lane is a residential track maintained by all the properties that adjoin it. The proposed children's home would fundamentally alter the residential character of the neighbourhood.
"It would be totally out of keeping with the existing properties and would introduce a commercial enterprise to a residential area. A children's home would introduce a different level of activity, which may disrupt the peaceful living environment that residents have come to expect.
"The application does not include enough information for our Highways and Planning Committee to make informed comments on any impact on local infrastructure.
"We understand the importance of providing appropriate care facilities for children, but it is equally important to balance these needs with the rights and well-being of existing residents. This location is not suitable for such a development.
"We suggest a site visit is carried out to appreciate the setting of this site."
Several neighbours voiced their concerns in public comments on the application. One of which was Graham Pretty, who lives in Broad Halfpenny Lane.
He said: "I am quite shocked that there has been no formal consultation of this proposed change of use.
"We are deeply concerned that the formal safeguarding of the occupants in the said property 4a will have an impact on the welfare of my young family."
Desmond McCarthy, who also lives in Broad Halfpenny Lane, said: "Broad Halfpenny Lane is a quiet residential area predominantly populated by older or retired people.
"Recently, new residents have moved into Broad Halfpenny Lane and have a reasonable expectation that the ambiance of the locality would not be materially altered.
"However, the inclusion of excluded children aged anywhere from seven to 18 years of age in such a residential area is, I submit, beyond the reasonable expectation of the current residents."
Another neighbour, Nicola Cameron, said: "The introduction of a children's care facility, operated by a commercial enterprise, would fundamentally disrupt the character of our community and negatively impact the quality of life for existing residents."
Martin Cockerell is also a neighbour. He said: "Broad Halfpenny Lane itself is unlike a 'normal' residential area which would have good street lighting and well-maintained roadway and pavements; I feel that it would be difficult to ensure a child's safety if they were to leave the property alone during the hours of darkness.
"It would also be very easy for a child to slip unnoticed into the surrounding wooded areas and simply 'disappear' if they wished to."
Zafar Kanani, who lives in Broad Halfpenny Lane also, said: "We have a young child and moved here to enjoy a peaceful, residential neighbourhood facing Tadley Common.
"We are concerned that the proposal could result in increased noise for neighbouring properties, particularly as the children have special needs."
In a report, planning officer Ruth Triebsh determined that the application did not require neighbour consultation.
The report adds: "The scheme displayed many features associated with a family dwelling and while some of the children may make more noise than children in a typical family dwelling, the overall number of children was small.
"The property was large, sitting in a rural location and the coming and going of staff and family would not materially impact on the surrounding area.
"Carers would not be playing a professional role, such as in a medical or teaching capacity and are purely for supervisory means similar to a parent in some respect.
"The staff would care for the children in a similar arrangement to a family, including cooking and cleaning for the children and general overseeing of their care, including taking the children to the local schools."
Despite the many objections, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council approved the application on Wednesday, September 18, subject to conditions.
Readers can find the full proposals by searching 24/01736/LDPU
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