East Cowes Children’s Care Home Plan Faces Objections

Plans to turn a residential property in East Cowes into a care home for children in crisis could be approved yesterday (Tuesday).

Planning officers are recommending that an application by Mr and Mrs Surman to change the use of the property is granted, subject to conditions.

A council report says the proposal would improve the standard of living and long-term prospects of children living there.

However, the plans have attracted opposition from East Cowes Town Council, which has raised concerns about fire safety information, the impact on the local road network and a lack of evidence that the property complies with building regulations.

There have also been 28 objections from members of the public, with concerns including privacy and overlooking, limited sound insulation between properties, and additional noise and disturbance from a 24-hour staffed operation.

Planning officers say the proposal would provide a small, family-style care setting, allowing children to live together as a family group while making use of local facilities.

They say this supports the Government and local authority aim of moving away from larger institutional care towards smaller, more local and family-oriented settings.

The council report says:

“The benefits of such an approach are considered to be substantial, in the context of this planning application.”

Planning agent SJC Planning has previously said Mrs Surman has significant experience in social care and believes the property could give disadvantaged children better opportunities during what can otherwise be “very upsetting situations”.

The application was to be considered by the Isle of Wight Council planning committee at County Hall at 4pm yesterday.