Residents in Alsager have lost their battle to stop an application to convert a residential house into a care home for up to three children.

A big turn-out of people attended a recent meeting at Alsager Town Council when residents expressed concerns and asked for it to be 'called in' so it could be dealt with by a planning committee.

But the applicant, Bedspace, has been given the go-ahead to convert a residential house in Leicester Avenue into medium to long term accommodation for children aged eight to 18, with conditions attached.

Leicester Avenue resident Helen Robertson argued at a meeting at Alsager Town Council earlier this month that she had lived at her property for 15 years and there has been no trouble whatsoever in that time as we revealed in our story here .

Another resident, Sophie Slack who lives opposite the property, told the same meeting: "The words which are very concerning to hear, as a mother of two young children are that the home would offer to accommodate children and young people with challenging behaviour… "

Around 104 residents had written to Cheshire East's planning department complaining about the plan, citing a number of issues from fear of crime to parking, impact on property values and consultation/transparency.

One resident said he was "staggered" to learn the application had not been 'called in'.

(Photo: Jonathan Sutton - Local Democracy Reporter)

"This surely can't comply with any sensible planning guidance and must be the wrong decision," they said. "In questioning this decision, I will hold individual people in the council who have made this decision personally accountable by any personal and legal means at my disposal."

The planning officer's report states: "The change of use of the dwelling to another form of residential development, whilst resulting in the loss of a single-family home, would not have a significant impact upon housing supply.

"The change of use is considered to be acceptable in principle as it involves the change of use of the property between residential uses (use class C3 to C2), with the occupation by up to three children with two carers present for most of the time, equating reasonably with the potential size of a household which could occupy this three-bedroom dwelling.

"Additionally, there are many similarities in how children's homes operate to a normal family home in that children have private bedrooms, would undertake full time education and partake in group activities within and outside the home. "

"The proposed development would be acceptable in principle in this location. There would be no material harm to the character of the area in visual amenity terms. There are no further residential amenity impacts. There would not be an adverse highway safety impact. Therefore, it is duly recommended that planning permission is granted."

The planning officer's full report and other documents relating to the application can be viewed here