Six-bed home becoming care home for one approved

Plans to turn a six-bed family home in a quiet cul-de-sac into a care home for a single person with complex needs have been approved despite 80 objections being lodged.

Renewed plans for the home in Hardwicke, on the outskirts of Gloucester, were approved at a meeting of Stroud District Council's development control committee on 27 January.

Hardwicke Parish Council objected to the plans but were told previous concerns had been addressed through reducing plans so the home would only be occupied by one child and two carers at any time.

The meeting also heard that although there would be staff changeovers, there would not be any more comings and goings than from a large residential home.

Officers said while existing access to the site was "awkward", there was not enough of a risk to refuse the plans, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Kevin Lee, of Hardwicke Parish Council, spoke against the plans, saying there was already a residential children's home in the village for 18 people which had a vacancy.

The Hardwicke home is "not in the right place, it's not suitable, [and] it's too close to residents and families," he added.

Tally Giampa, said while nearby residents fully support the need for care facilities, those facilities should be suitably located with careful consideration for child safety and the impact on residents.

Describing the proposals as "naked opportunism," he said previous plans were rejected for the site due to insufficient information demonstrating the need for it.

Conservative councillor Mark Ryder likened it to fitting a "square peg in a round hole".

Green councillor Gary Luff said he felt the committee should approve the plans, but with a management plan to "take the edge off".

Labour councillor Dave Mathews said he was open to that amendment but raised concerns that a child's needs could change over time.

The committee approved the plans by eight votes to two with two abstentions.

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