By John Baron
Councillors will next Thursday decide whether to approve an application to change a semi detached house into a residential home for children.
The property, on Stanmore Road, Burley, would accommodate three young people aged between 10 and 17 years old.
This application has attracted 11 letters of representation, including concerns from Councillor Fiona Venner (Lab, Kirkstall). Concerns included its suitability, a lack of off-street parking and Stanmore Road being an unsuitable location for a children’s home
Several other children’s homes have recently been approved in the Burley area, including at an adjacent dwelling, which Cllr Venner says represents a concentration of homes in an unsuitable area.
There are also concerns over parking, particularly on match days at Headingley Stadium.
The children would be supported by three members of staff through the day and two members of staff during the night.
Council planning officers are recommending the proposals are approved by councillors, subject to conditions.
A planning officer’s report concludes: “The proposal is considered to comply with both national and adopted local planning policy in terms of establishing sustainable development.
“The application site would operate within a use that would have similar occupation and associated effects from comings and goings compared to those that are reasonably and likely occur if a family resided at this four bedroomed property.”
Councillors on the West Plans Panel will meet at Leeds Civic Hall next Thursday (1.30pm). The agenda and council reports can be read in full here.
Why would parking be an issue? This is baffling to me because all the houses have cars and if the house was occupied by students, which many are then there would be possibly 3 cars. A house housing kids will only have the staff cars, so no more than any other house.