New Children’s Care Home Approved In East Cowes

A new care home for children in crisis has been approved in East Cowes.

The Isle of Wight Council's planning committee unanimously approved plans to change the use of a residential property, subject to conditions.

The council says there is a significant shortage of foster homes and Ofsted-registered children's residential homes locally and nationally.

The plans are intended to provide smaller, more localised care for children, rather than larger institutional settings.

East Cowes Town Council had objected, raising concerns including fire safety, evacuation arrangements, building regulations, parking and the suitability of the property's layout.

But councillors supporting the plans said there was a “desperate need” for this type of accommodation and that keeping vulnerable children closer to their home area could reduce the disruption caused by moving them elsewhere.