Charity's children's home plans refused
GoogleProposals to convert a house into a children's care home have been refused by a local council due to planning laws.
Changing Futures North East hoped up to four young people, aged eight to 18-years-old, would be able to live at the property in Granville Avenue, Hartlepool.
However, Hartlepool Borough Council planning officers said there was a lack of evidence proving the development "would be lawful", and a separate application for full planning permission was needed.
The charity, which can appeal, said its development certificate application was legal under planning regulations, and it wanted to provide "welcoming and warm places to live which encourage young people to flourish and grow".
The council said the applicant "has not provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the proposed development would be lawful".
Following the refusal, options include appealing the decision to the Planning Inspectorate or submitting a new application for full planning permission, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
The proposals noted children would have been cared for by a team operating on a shift basis, with two staff members on-site overnight.
All young people would have had their own bedroom and shared all other facilities within the house.
The supporting statement added: "Changing Futures North East cares for and about their young people and will offer them the same standard of care and opportunities that they would for their own children."
Five objections from residents had also been submitted over the application, raising concerns around highway safety, on-street parking and a potential increase in noise and anti-social behaviour.
