Plans to turn two houses into two children’s care homes are up for approval by Bolton Council in spite of opposition from its own children’s services and from residents.

The proposals for houses on Threxton Place and Rushton Road, which are separate applications, were sent to the authority in June 2022 and September 2022 respectively.

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On Threxton Place, there is a plan to turn a house into a care home for children ‘in need of additional care’. There are no external or internal changes to the site.

But dozens of residents are opposed to the proposal, 10 of whom wrote to the council and almost 40 of whom put their name to a petition about the application.

Their concerns range from a rise in anti-social behaviour and crime to the effect on the prices of properties in the area and the conditions for the children themselves, with some suggestions the house is rat-infested.

However a report to the Planning Committee, which meets at the town hall this week, reminds members some of these concerns are not planning considerations.

Meanwhile on Rushton Road, there is another plan to turn a house into a care home for children 'in need of additional care'. Again, there are no external or internal changes to the site.

However, children's services are opposed to the proposal on the basis of the applicant's 'capability and confidence' to deliver 'effective childcare'.

But in spite of these concerns, the Planning Committee is recommended to approve the two applications when it meets at the town hall this week.

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A report attached to each of the applications reads: "The proposed care home is considered to be acceptable in principle in this location and no unacceptable harm has been identified in respect of crime, the residential amenity of surrounding occupiers, or the living conditions of the future occupiers. 

"The highways and parking proposals are also considered acceptable. Members are therefore recommended to approve this application subject to the suggested conditions."