Plans for new Bedlington children's home approved despite objections from neighbours

Plans for a new children's home on a Bedlington cul-de-sac have been approved despite stiff opposition from neighbours.

The proposals are part of Northumberland County Council's drive to save money from the children's services budget by avoiding the need for expensive private placements. Costs for these services have sky-rocketed in recent years, with some children's care costing up to £11,000 a week.

The Government has handed new powers to Ofsted to crack down on "exploitative" children's care providers - but with the council facing a £7.8 million overspend in children's services by the end of the financial year, the Conservative-led administration has chosen to act now.

The new home will be based on Featherstone Grove in Bedlington, providing a home for one child aged between six and 17 supported by carers. At Thursday's meeting of the Cramlington, Bedlington and Seaton Valley Local Area Planning Committee, members were told that individuals would likely stay for a minimum of six months up to one year.

Coun Wayne Daley said the council had an obligation to provide support for vulnerable youngsters.

He said: "We have a moral responsibility to ensure that some of our young people, who have had quite frankly horrible beginnings in their lives are supported. We spend thousands of pounds every year to send children out of our county because we have got nowhere for them.

"We have young people who, through no fault of their own, need some help to give them a chance in life. Some outside county placements cost between £5,000 and £11,000 a week.

"Is this value for money? I think the numbers stack up for themselves."

Coun Daley added he could see no planning reasons to refuse the application. However, there was concern that all 27 neighbours notified had objected to the plans.

Speaking on behalf of the residents, objector Helen Bailey claimed there was a "lack of information and transparency" in the planning application, describing this as "shameful". She also raised concerns about more cars parking on the street, pointing out there was already "high rates of cars to residents."

She continued: "This is a relatively expensive three-bedroom house - this is a gross misuse of public funds. It is not a fully costed, long-term solution.

"Residents have enjoyed peace and quiet for 25 years. We have to live with the consequences and it is our taxes that are being misspent." Bedlington West councillor Malcolm Robinson was concerned about the opposition from residents.

He said: "I have been on planning committees for years and I have never seen 100% of neighbours notified object to an application. Given what it is going to be and the fact that all of the neighbours have put in objections, this is the wrong place for this development."

Cramlington South East councillor Paul Ezhilchelvan added: "We are sending a child into a place where all the neighbours do not want it. Are we doing the right thing?

"I wouldn't like to live on a street where all the neighbours do not like my presence. I think we need to look very carefully at where we are going with this." Despite the concerns raised, the plans were approved by five votes to four.

Join our Northumberland WhatsApp community

Join our Northumberland WhatsApp community for all the latest news Northumberland news direct to your phone.

To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN