Plans for a children’s home for up to five people in a Holbeach cul-de-sac were thrown out by planning officers two days after councillors voted to defer a decision.
The application for a Certificate of Lawful Use for 19 Langwith Drive was meant to be discussed by South Holland District Council’s Planning Committee on Wednesday (April 2) last week.
Planning officer Mark Simmonds ‘strongly recommended’ members at the meeting defer the application saying legal officers had raised issues that needed clarifying.
That came after officers had recommended the committee approve the application.
“It’s at the 11th hour but it’s really important the council makes sound and correct decisions,” he said.
But on Friday, using delegated powers, the application was thrown out by planning officers over concerns it was actually for more than the five people it had initially applied for.
The refusal report said applicant Mr D John stated in emails to the council in January he would be living at the property with ‘his cousin’.
The report states: “The applicant clarified in an email dated April 3 that their cousin is an adult and that the ‘remaining bedrooms can be used by up to five children’.
“The applicant then set out in an email dated April 4 that they would like to change the application ‘to a maximum of four children instead of five’.
“There are therefore discrepancies within the submission as initially the applicant did not mention an additional adult within the household.
“In light of this, including the applicant, the applicant’s cousin, and the proposed occupation of up to five young people, this would result in seven occupants.
“Therefore, this would exceed the maximum number of people that can be allowed to live together as a household which is six people.
“The description of development refers to “up to five young people” and this was agreed with the applicant.
“There is therefore reasonable doubt as to how many occupants would actually be within the site.”
The application received ten objections, including one from South Holland MP Sir John Hayes.
Concerns raised included potential anti-social behaviour and noise disturbance, though the report that initially recommended accepting the proposal said it wasn’t a planning issue that could be considered.
The lack of consultation, was also raised though officers stated there is no requirement to do so.
That report also states that the plans were ‘prepared’ by the company Silver Birch Care who the applicant works for, but that they were not preparing to operate from the site.
