A planning application for a children's care home in Alsager has mobilised the community to object to the application.

The applicant – Bedspace – wants to convert a residential house in Leicester Avenue into medium to long term accommodation for children aged eight to 18.

The issue was being discussed at an Alsager Town Council meeting held at the Civic Centre in which so many residents turned out that more chairs were needed to accommodate them.

Leicester Avenue resident Helen Robertson explained that she has lived at her property for 15 years and told the council chamber there has been no trouble whatsoever in that time.

Ms Robertston said: "I'm very concerned about the impact this is going to have on my standard of life in my retirement. I am particularly concerned with anti-social behaviour. I am worried about the impact it is going to have on my day to day life and my health because of the concerns I've got about this."

Sophie Slack who lives opposite the property said: "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; trauma; attachment difficulties; substance abuse, classed as B and C which is illegal, so you can not get those substances without committing a crime. This just says everything really." 

Members of the public were allotted 20 minutes speaking time, despite this members of the public were threatened with being asked to leave for repeatedly shouting over speakers and in one case slow clapping.

Many members of the public expressed their frustration about not being informed about the application by Cheshire East and only finding out by leaflets through their door.

This was the experience of Mark O'Donnell, who commented: "The reason I knew about this is some kind resident pushed a leaflet through my door, it feels very much like a done deal."

It is understood that the Alsager councillors on Cheshire East Council have attempted to call-in the application, this would mean that a full planning committee would determine the application, however, these calls have been rejected.

Leicester Avenue resident Kevin Armstrong added: "It doesn't fit the demographic at all which is made up of old people, it is a primarily a residential area.

"People will be concerned with leaving their property unattended because of what might happen while they are out. 

"I spent years of my life with this council writing the neighbourhood plan, which was voted for acceptance by residents of Alsager in a referendum. Has the application been tested against the requirements?"

Head Of Children's Services at Bedspace, Daniel Wilson told the packed council meeting "there are a lot of misconceptions about what we are planning to do." and in a statement said: "It is for children that need some support and care in their life after probably experiencing trauma and neglect. 

"What we aim to do, we have 2 staff on-site who sleep at the property creating that continuity of care from at night to when they are helping them get ready for school and we keep the home as family-like as possible, we try and create that sense of security and that they have someone there for them when they come home at the end of the day."

After listening to public representations and Bedspace representatives the Town Council voted to object to the application. The application will be determined by Cheshire East Council in the coming weeks.