By John Baron
Plans to change of use of a house into residential care for young people have been approved by councillors, despite concerns about traffic and parking.
The plans, by Mr S Sheikh, will see a semi-detached house in Stanmore Road, Burley, turned into a residential care home for three young people aged between 10 and 17 years old.
Members of the south and west plans panel heard there were 10 letters of objection from residents, including representation from Councillor Fiona Venner (Lab, Kirkstall).
Cllr Venner, who was the council’s cabinet member for children and families for five years, spoke against the application, saying she was a “fierce and passionate advocate for young people with multiple and complex needs”.
But she said the plans were neither good enough or appropriate and called on the council to introduce strong planning guidance on the issue of residential care homes in houses.
Cllr Venner argued the demographics of the area were unsuitable as it was dominated by house-sharing students and young professionals.
She said it was “not a quiet area”, with noise and anti-social behaviour, along with ‘chronic’ parking issues caused by people attending nearby Headingley Stadium.
Cllr Venner argued match day rugby traffic would make access ‘extremely problematic’.
Cllr Barry Anderson (Cons, Adel & Wharfedale) said he was sympathetic to Cllr Venner’s arguments but said there was no planning policy to allow the panel to refuse the application on planning grounds. He said the council needed to develop a policy.
Plans panel chair Cllr Paul Wray (Lab, Hunslet & Riverside) said planning policy around this type of application was being looked at by the council “but it has to be robust and defensible”.
Cllr Andy Rontree (Lab, Kirkstall) said he could not vote in favour of the application.
Council planning officers also said there would be three occupants at the property, so only one parking space was required under planning guidance. They warned councillors that if the applicant chose to appeal the decision against refusal that the council would be unlikely to win.
The plans were approved by a majority vote.
The south and west plans panel agenda and planning officer’s report can be read here.