The Lincolnshire village home operated as a children’s care home occupied by up to four children and their carers. The home employed fourteen staff, with up to four staying overnight, with shift changes as early as 8am and as late as 11pm and midnight. The inspector considered that although no objection had been received, neighbour living conditions would be unacceptably affected by noise from the parking area which had a close knit relationship with the adjacent farmhouse and which would stand out in an otherwise tranquil rural environment, especially at night. On this basis the inspector dismissed the appeal, although he found no harm to the wider residential character of the village or conflict with sustainable location principles, comparing predicted requirements for access to services with those of a family home.
Inspector: David Cross; Written representations