Agenda item

Proposed refurbishment and modernisation of existing care facility, comprising 6no. apartments, 10no. resident bedrooms and 6no. staff accommodation rooms.

The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer with regards to refurbishment and modernisation of existing care facility, comprising 6no. apartments, 10no. resident bedrooms and 6no. staff accommodation rooms at Feryemount Nursing Home, North Street, Ferryhill, (for copy see file of minutes).

The Planning Officer gave a detailed presentation which included site location plans, aerial photographs and photographs of the site.

Local Member, Councillor Avery addressed the Committee in support of the application.  He had lived Ferryhill all of his life and represented   Ferryhill at various levels in local government for 50 years. Feryemount was built in1972 to be the major care home in the town for the Council and it catered for 35 elderly people and 20/25 staff.  It served the community for many years until it closed in 2014 due to changes in care provisions.  Since then it had stood empty being constantly vandalised by local youths.

Councillor Avery was delighted when eventually a sale looked possible after many false alarms.  He had researched the application and found that similar projects had been very successful in Bishop Auckland and Chester-le-Street.  There was obviously a need for these facilities and with the care package outlined by the Applicant he could see no reasons to not support the application.

Pregnant teenagers would have the best accommodation and care from care staff and be registered with local doctors and other facilities in Ferryhill. Any help the Council could give through the Area Action Partnership in Ferryhill would be supported.

He was proud that this facility had chosen Ferryhill to locate and it was an ideal opportunity to help children through a very dramatic period in their life and give them a chance to succeed.

Mr C Kipling, spoke as the Agent on behalf of the Applicant and advised that in 2020 his client had instructed representatives to purchase the care home for redevelopment and the Council had advised during discussions that the property had to remain of class C2 use and it would not therefore require a change of use.  There had been ongoing dialogue with the Planning Authority throughout the application and no objections had been raised by statutory consultees.  He referred to a small number of public comments which mostly related to antisocial behaviour and criminal activity.  A statement was released to confirm that the residents would be children age 8-17as well as teenage parents and their children.  There would be employment and supplier opportunities for local businesses, as well as during the refurbishment.

The Applicant had advised that they wanted to work with local communities to alleviate any concerns from residents and integrate into the community.  This was not a secure residential unit which would require a change of use and there was no evidence to assume there would be any antisocial behaviour, they were children that needed help and support.  The children would come from a variety of backgrounds and it was not right to assume they would be difficult.

Following the Applicant’s statement being submitted, only three further representations had been received, two in support and one in objection.

This application represented continued sustainable development  for the refurbishment of an existing vacant building bringing significant investment to the area and was supported by Local Members.  The applicant had met with Ferryhill Town Council to reassure them and he asked that the Committee approve the application.

In response to a question from Councillor Adam regarding traffic management and ensuring there was minimal disruption to the town centre during the refurbishment, the Senior Planning Officer advised that Condtion no. 5 required the submission of a management plan and any complaints about the works would be fully investigated and action taken if necessary.

Councillor Atkinson supported the application as it would bring an old, out of use building back into use and provide accommodation for vulnerable children.  He moved the Officer’s recommendation to approve and it was seconded by Councillor Quinn who confirmed that it was a fantastic facility to support young people in County Durham.  She  also suggested that the antisocial behaviour that had been an issue at this location would move on as there would be staff on duty.

Resolved:

That the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions outlined in the report.