A plan to turn a terraced house into a care home for “vulnerable adults” is set to go to a vote after provoking several objections.
If approved, the proposal will see the three floor mid-terraced house on Shrewsbury Road, Smithills transformed into a care home for up to four people.
There will also be always a member of staff in the house, with two during handover periods.
A council report said: “As the proposed residential care home would only accommodate a maximum of six people at any time, including staff members, it would have only a limited impact on neighbours over and above the existing use as a dwelling.
“While there may be some additional coming and going from the property it is not envisaged that this would be significant so as the affect the living conditions of existing or future local residents.”
It added: “The site is situated in an area with good accessibility with Chorley New Road being near the application site.
“This area is well served by public transport and so is within a sustainable location.”
But so far the proposal has provoked 17 letters of objection while Cllr Roger Hayes, who represents Smithills, has asked that it be heard by a full meeting of the council’s planning committee.
The objectors have raised concerns about the effects on parking, on property prices, on noise and about the extra pressure they say it would put on nearby public services.
Despite this, council officers have recommended that the bid be approved.
The report said: “From information submitted to officers, it is stated that the house would become a residential care home for up to four vulnerable adults.
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“Staff would always work in a shift pattern with one on duty, apart from the brief handover when two would be present.
“As such there would be a maximum of six people present at the property at any one time.
“No external alterations are proposed to the dwelling. Internal changes include amending a washroom and bathroom on the first floor into two shower rooms and the construction of an internal wall on the second floor to change the existing store into two shower rooms.”
The council’s planning committee will meet on Thursday, January 4 to decide whether or not to approve the plans.
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