Bath & North East Somerset Council has refused a request for a certificate of lawfulness for a proposed children’s care home in Keynsham.
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Focus Futures Care, Support & Learning applied to change 8a The Avenue from a house in multiple occupation (HMO) providing supported accommodation for up to six 16 to 21-year-olds, to a children’s home.
There would be a maximum of five children and 24/7 staffing support.
The application said the HMO use was due to cease in March, and that as the property already meets a lot of the agreed standards for a supported accommodation service, there would not be a significant number of changes required to make the transition to a children’s care home.
It said clear policies and procedures regarding safeguarding and behaviour management would be in place, and the house would operate similarly to a domestic household with shared living.
But council planning officers said the change of use is not permitted development under planning rules.
Focus Futures Care, Support & Learning will therefore need to submit an application for full planning permission.
