Plans have been launched to transform a property in Blackrod into a children’s home.

The proposals have been put forward in respect of a home on Whitehall Lane, which is a five bedroom detached house with a garage and two off street parking spaces.

It is currently being used residentially, but Invigor Adolescent Care Ltd want to use it as a specialist care home.

If approved it would be occupied by up to three children with emotional or behavioural difficulties.

As it is a different use planning permission is required and this is being sought from the planning department at Bolton Council.

A statement prepared on behalf of the applicants stressed that risk assessments would take place.

It said: “The home will be registered as an emotional and behavioural home.

“Children will undergo a stringent impact risk assessment to ensure they integrate with the local community.

“This considers the home, the environment, the community, plus peer groups and assesses against each child as an individual prior to admission into the home.

“The children will live at the property long term, hopefully for many years.

“This is not a halfway house or emergency housing for children.”

There would be no alterations to the building if the plans are approved.

The applicant has spoken to local social services about the need for the home.

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The statement adds: “The proposed children’s home seeks to replicate as closely as possible a normal family environment.

“This type of provision, which government policy is promoting, is to help children who often, through no fault of their own, have not had good parenting in their early years.

“These are not children with special needs.”

If approved the children who reside there would be between the ages of seven and 17.

They would be looked after by a maximum of three carers with two staying overnight and working on a rota basis.

A manager would also visit more weekdays between 9am and 5pm.