Bolton: Residents urged to have say on Ladybridge Glendale Drive plans

The property on Glendale Drive in Ladybridge is earmarked to be converted into the new centre, which will provide a short term hub for parents and their children to be given 24 hour support.

A residential family assessment centre is a short term provision that supports vulnerable parents with their children who without the support would otherwise have their children removed from their care.

Parents and their children are placed within a family centre where 24 hour support and monitoring via cctv and qualified support staff assist them to develop their parenting skills.

Parents receive therapeutic support from a qualified counsellor and are assessed by a qualified social worker on site and over the course of 12-14 weeks it is hoped that a positive assessment will be provided to the court and the children can remain in their parents care safely.

 But in response Bolton Children's Service issued a statement as part of the planning consultation.

It stated:"We usually have no need than 3 such placements every year and on the basis of this spec the provision has capacity for 12 placements.

"As a result there is the likelihood of 9 placements offered to other L.A.s - not necessarily in the GM area. This is likely to place increased demand on local services such as GPs, A&E, etc."

The deadline for residents to pitch their objections has been extended to tomorrow, January 23, and Heaton, Lostock, and Chew Moor ward councillors, Cllr Andy Morgan and Cllr Anne Galloway, are keen for anyone who has thoughts on the matter to make sure they do not miss the cut off point.

But it has emerged that residents can also send their objections to the Duke of Norfolk who is the covenant holder.

In a statement on social media, Cllr Morgan added: “It is really important that residents make their views known not only to the planning department but also the covenant holder, the Duke of Norfolk.

“This can be done by emailing the estate managers at admin@robertfairhurst.co.uk.

“There have been times on the estate that planning permission was granted but the covenant holder refused to give permission for the change of use or extension.

“If they don’t know about it, they won’t do anything about it.”

Cllr Galloway, who is also the cabinet member for children’s services, told The Bolton News: “Resident’s feel things have been imposed on them and it is important for them to feel that they do have a say in the process.

A recent public meeting held to discuss the planning application (Image: Newsquest)

“There are very limited planning considerations that can be taken into account.

“The council don’t want it either and children’s services don’t want it.

“None of the residents, apart from the owner, obviously, are in favour.”

READ MORE: Public meeting turns out to oppose Ladybridge plan

Cllr Galloway said that resident have brought up a number of reasons for opposing the plans, some of which are not planning considerations, “but also proper planning considerations like the increased traffic on a very quiet cul-de-sac”.

She added: “There’s only one parking space on the drive – there’s a garage but there’s a step up to it so that’s not a parking space - for a five-bedroom house where there will be families staying.

“There will be staff, there will be social workers, there will be counsellors, outreach workers all visiting.

“And there are no amenities nearby. No shops. No youth clubs. Nothing for children. No playground nearby.”

READ MORE: Plans for new family support and assessment home

Cllr Galloway also reference some existing antisocial behaviour on a nearby walkway.

“It’s not a particularly safe, secure area,” she said.

Plans for the centre (Image: YA Architectural Services)

For any residents who wish to add their thoughts on the planning application they can do so by visiting the planning portal on the councils website - www.bolton.gov.uk/planning-applications-guidance/planning-7/5 - where they can find the application using the reference number 15188/22.

Alternatively, they can email Cllrs Galloway and Morgan on anne.galloway@bolton.gov.uk or andrew.morgan@bolton.gov.uk.

The Duke of Norfolk is the landowner, and who property owners on the estate pay ground rent to.

An appeal to a covenant holder must me carried out as a civil-led case – the council has no powers to affect it.

If plans are approved, it is not necessarily the end of the line. The councillors have called for the case to be heard in front of the planning committee - who will have the final say.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18.