A terraced house in Peterborough is set to become a children’s care home despite push back from many residents.

Applicant John Johnson submitted the proposals to Peterborough City Council in March, with a decision to approve the plans made in August.

The property at 2 De Bec Close can now lawfully undergo work to be converted into a care home used by children and staff members.

It comes in spite of a letter signed by six neighbours who voiced strong opposition to the plans.

The letter cited concerns around the suitability of the property and its location on a private cul-de-sac, as well as alleged anti-social behaviour associated with the property and parking constraints.

“Given the wholly unsuitable nature of the property, the severe parking limitations, the documented and ongoing ant-social behaviour, and the acknowledged failures in management, we respectfully submit that this application should be refused,” the letter stated.

The local highway authority (LHA) also objected to the plans due to the lack of adequate parking facilities.

However, the council planning officer explained that the LHA’s assessment was undertaken on the basis of a children’s home accommodating up to three children with additional staff and that the applicant had since agreed to limit it to just two children.

The officer’s report also touched on the residents’ objections regarding the alleged historic anti-social behaviour and management practices at the property.

It stated: “Officers acknowledge these concerns. However, planning permission runs with the land rather than the individual operator.

“Matters relating to the management of the facility, safeguarding arrangements, staffing practices, regulation by Ofsted and the conduct of occupants are controlled through separate licensing and regulatory regimes and are not matters that can be given significant weight in the determination of a planning application.”

It added: “Officers have carefully considered concerns regarding residential amenity and parking impacts.

“For the reasons set out above, it is not considered that the proposal would result in unacceptable harm to neighbouring living conditions or highway safety.

“As such, the objections received do not outweigh the benefits associated with providing specialist residential accommodation for children requiring care.”

The property will provide three bedrooms together with communal living accommodation, kitchen facilities, bathroom facilities, private outdoor amenity space and ancillary staff facilities.