Councillors approve plans to convert Harrogate property into residential home for children

Subject to being registered by Ofsted, the home at Ashgarth Court near Ashville College will be able to welcome up to three children between the ages of 11 and 18.

Two members of staff will be on site at all times.

The applicant Jolyon Mckay, who is the grandson of the owner of the house, addressed councillors on the Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee on Tuesday (June 25) to say he wants to help as many vulnerable children in Harrogate as possible through the plans.

Mr Mckay said: “I grew up in a family where one sibling suffered from mental health issues, luckily my family could pay for support but many other families cannot.

“Children’s wellbeing is my number one concern.

"Research has found institutions do not work and small family-style homes of no more than three children are better for their mental and physical wellbeing.”

However, the plans have attracted the ire of some local residents who complained about the potential for noise and anti-social behaviour.

It received 29 objections and two letters of support.

Objector Richard Bannister told councillors he had “many concerns” about the application and felt the bedrooms in the house for the children would be too small.

He added: “There are concerns about the nature of the application, location and suitability of the property.

"There are no playgrounds or bus stops within an acceptable distance, children will rely on staff to be taken anywhere.”

Local councillor John Mann (Conservative – Oatlands and Pannal) said he’d received “many emails” from residents upset about the proposal.

He added that a “quiet residential estate” would not be a suitable place for a children’s home as it is far from a bus stop and other amenities.

Planning documents state the nearest bus stop is a 20-minute walk away on Beckwith Road or Leeds Road.

A North Yorkshire Council report said it expected noise at the children’s home would be the same as if a family resided at the property.

The report stated the council was also happy with the size of the property.

Councillors approved the application by four votes to none with one abstention.

Ofsted will have the final say on the size of the bedrooms when it considers a separate application to register the property as a children’s home.