Plans for two new children's homes approved by Gateshead Council
Care provider granted permission to convert two homes into separate children's homes in Ryton and Rowlands Gill
by Austen Shakespeare · ChronicleLiveGateshead Council's planning and development committee has given the go-ahead for the conversion of two houses into children's homes. The local authority has granted A Wilderness Way Ltd permission to convert two homes in Ryton and Rowlands Gill into children's homes.
Woodside Lodge, in Ryton, and 9 Riverside Way, Rowlands Gill, are now set to house two children aged 8 to 17 between them. A Wilderness Way specialises in caring for and sheltering children who have suffered trauma and exploitation.
The care provider already operates several homes across the countryside of Cumbria and southern Scotland. However, a total of 30 letters of objection were received by the local authority on the proposals, ranging from concerns over noise and a perceived lack of privacy to local concerns that Riverside Way was too close to the river Derwent to be safe.
The committee ultimately agreed with council officers' recommendations to approve both applications. Reports compiled by local authority staff concluded that both schemes were acceptable in terms of suitability and also stated that Northumbria Police did not raise objections to the schemes.
The report for Riverside Way stated: "Children’s Services have advised that the Council’s sufficiency strategy for Gateshead seeks to ensure enough children’s homes in the local area, therefore ensuring there is capacity within Council-operated Children’s homes and through the external market. Children’s Services advises that this is a key priority for the Council. Therefore, further provision to ensure sufficient provision is met is welcomed."
The children cared for in these homes will reside at the properties in placements generally between 17 and 22 weeks long. Two members of staff will be present at any one time, including for overnight stays.
The homes will also be subject to Ofsted inspections and visits from social care and NHS workers. The plans were approved by the planning and development committee on Wednesday, October 2.
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