Online Representation

Personal Details:  Please Note the Council Publishes the Name and Address of all people who comment on a Planning Application. 

Forename: Amy
Surname: Ward
Address: 5a Orchard Road

Opinion:

Overview View: OBJECT

Comment:

Comment:I strongly object to the proposed development of a childrenâ€™s home which is suggesting housing 4 teenagers on Orchard Road. Whilst this is currently being presented as a children's home this has not been legally secured and has been proposed by a real estate company and not a registered care provider. Once a C2 secures approval this can then be opened up to a wide range of other uses, including adult rehabilitation centres, hostels and nursing homes.  I do not consider this residential street suitable for a C2 facility, let alone immediately next door to our family home which includes 2 young children. The development would directly overlook our garden, significantly reducing our privacy and negatively impacting the safety and wellbeing of our children who spend a lot of time outdoors. Constant observation from communal areas in the proposed facility directly into our garden would be disturbing and stressful.
Unlike typical residential properties the proposed facility would operate 24 hours a day potentially creating night time disturbances from staff, and the occupants throughout the night. This would have a detrimental effect on our familyâ€™s ability to sleep, rest and enjoy our home
The proposed facility will take away at least 2 on street parking spaces due to a dropped curb requirement and will introduce 3 members of staff, visitors, care workers, service vehicles and emergency services to a road that is already at full capacity. Orchard Road already experiences extremely high and dangerous levels of traffic particularly at school drop off and pick up times. Having even more parked cars on both sides of a narrow road will obstruct sightlines creating even more hazards for drivers and pedestrians. The risk for children walking to/from school will be heightened creating a serious safety concern for our local community. Access for emergency services, delivery drivers and refuse collection will be restricted even further creating additional safety risks. 
A previous application on the same site was refused only last July 2025 for a C3 single dwelling for failing to demonstrate adequate safe off-street parking and highway safety concerns. The current application for a C2 facility would generate significantly higher parking demand and exacerbate the same risks. 
In addition to the above points, we have already lost a significant amount of wildlife and beautiful mature trees on this site. Further development would worsen this environmental damage.
Given the serious concerns outlined above I respectfully request that this application be refused.
If approval of this application is being considered I request that it be referred to the planning committee to ensure all concerns from residents are fully considered. 
The high number of rejections already received clearly shows that the proposal of this facility is unsuitable for the street and will not be welcomed by the local community.
Kind Regards,
Amy