PLANS have been submitted to change the use of a property into a supported living accommodation for up to three children.

In June, Oiza Health Care, a Homecare Service company based in Mansfield, submitted an application to convert a property on Westbourne Avenue, Leigh, into a children's home.

The planning application states that the children, up to 16-year-olds, will be "carefully selected in conjunction with the local authority's relevant specialists" and will be cared for by trained carers 24 hours a day.

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With care given in a communal environment and facilities shared between the children and carers, the staff will work in shifts from 8am to 8pm, followed by those on the night shift until the following day.

Due to the long shift patterns, the applicant says there will be "no huge staff turnover on site", and the "allotted parking spaces will be adequate for the running of the home".

Carers will be employed on safe recruitment guidelines, with one senior staff member always on hand to meet the requirements of Ofsted regulations.

The only visitors allowed on the premises would be specialists and social workers. Family members or friends of the children will be allowed at the premises in a planned and supervised manner.

In a statement, Oiza Health Care said: "The manner in which the property would be occupied and used is no different in planning terms to that of a large or extended family residing there.

"It has also been demonstrated that associated comings and goings, and the more ‘active’ hours at the property would be comparable to a conventional household.

"With these factors in mind, it is advanced that a Lawful Development Certificate should be granted to confirm that the proposed use is lawful."