OBJECTIONS towards long-held plans to create a children’s home are flooding in after a fresh application was lodged with Barnsley Council.
An online petition - which went live last week - has already garnered 70 signatures against the plan which relates to a home on Wood Walk, Royston.
It is the second bid to convert the property after planning board members opted to refuse initial proposals two years ago, when just 14 objections were raised by residents.
Councillors said the scheme would be ‘detrimental’ to neighbours due to noise and disturbance and subsequently refused the bid.
Applicant Dr Amjid Usman wants to turn the property into a home for three youngsters and says the use will be ‘no different to that of a family home’.
Staff changeovers, documents say, will occur in the morning to avoid adding to traffic concerns.
However, the petition - started by Hayley Hemmings - said the proposal isn’t suitable for the area.
She said: “This will cause major disruption to a very peaceful neighbourhood.
“The proposed children’s home is set to be located in an area known for its tranquility and close-knit community.
“We are concerned about the potential increase in traffic, noise and overall disruption that such a facility might bring.
“While we understand the need for children’s homes, placing one in our quiet, residential area is not appropriate and could negatively impact the quality of life for current residents.
“Planning applications have been rejected twice and the non-local business owners repeatedly attempt to push it through for monetary gain only.
“The council previously aired concerns about resources being pushed in this area and bringing non-local children just adds to that constraint.
“A home such as this does not provide stability to children like foster care can as it effectively ‘changes parents’ every two days.
“We ask the local authority to reject the planning application and consider alternative locations that would be more suitable.”
Council officers confirmed in 2021 that they were investigating the landowner to see if works had begun before consent was in place.
Matt O’Neill, executive director for growth and sustainability, said: “The council received a lawful use certificate application on May 20, 2024, for a children’s home in Royston.
“This follows the refusal of full planning permission for the conversion of the property to a care home in February 2022.
“Anyone can apply to the local planning authority to obtain a decision about the way a building or land is being used, or is planned to be used, and whether it is lawful.
“Unlike a conventional planning application, a lawful use certificate application doesn’t consider planning merits, such as highways, parking, noise or drainage.
“In this case, the council need to consider whether the proposed use of the property in Royston as a residential children’s home would be materially different from its lawful use as a conventional dwellinghouse.
“We’ll be considering the information submitted and discussions will be held with our legal team to decide whether the proposal represents a material change of use or not.”
