Planning Application for a Children’s Care Home at 16 Singleton Scarp
Planning Application for a Children's Care Home at 16 Singleton Scarp
A planning application has been made to convert 16 Singleton Scarp from a single family dwelling to a children’s care home. The Woodside Park Resident’s Association has been contacted by a number of concerned residents of Singleton Scarp about the suitability of this application and these concerns have been escalated to our local Councillors and the council itself.
If you share concerns about the suitability of this proposal, you can use the link below to formally raise your concerns with the planning authority, as well as see the full details of the planning application.
There are a few key concerns that have been raised by others, which may be useful as reference:
1. Unsuitability of the Location for a Commercial Enterprise
Singleton Scarp is a quiet residential cul-de-sac, designed for family homes, and is not suitable for a commercial enterprise such as a care home. The proposed business will introduce a level of activity that is incompatible with the character of the area. This includes increased staff, visitors, and service vehicles, all of which will generate traffic and parking congestion beyond what the road infrastructure can accommodate.
2. Traffic, Parking, and Safety Concerns
The property is located at the far end of the cul-de-sac, around a central green space where young children frequently play. The increased vehicular movement poses a serious safety risk to pedestrians and children.
The planning application inaccurately states that there are three off-street parking spaces; in reality, only two are usable.
On-street parking is already limited, and the introduction of additional staff, visitors, and delivery vehicles will exacerbate congestion.
The claim that staff and visitors will rely on public transport is unenforceable and unrealistic, as shifts and visits may not align with public transport schedules.
3. Failure to Demonstrate Local Need
The application has not provided sufficient evidence of a local need for a children's care home at this specific location. Without clear justification for its necessity in this area, the proposal risks displacing much-needed family housing and disrupting the existing residential environment.
4. Loss of a Family Home (Contrary to Policy)
The conversion of a residential home into a care facility contradicts key housing policies:
London Plan Policy H1 & H11: Prioritizes the protection of family housing. This proposal results in the permanent loss of a family home.
Local Policy DM07: Seeks to protect existing housing stock from conversions that harm residential amenity. The introduction of a care facility in a single-family home setting disrupts the area's residential balance.
5. Negative Impact on Residential Amenity
The proposal will significantly alter the character of the neighbourhood due to:
Noise and Disturbance: Increased comings and goings at all hours from staff, visitors, and service providers.
Loss of Privacy: The nature of the care facility may lead to a greater degree of oversight and external interventions.
Precedent for Further Development: Approval of this application may encourage similar applications, further eroding the residential character of Singleton Scarp.
6. Lack of Suitable Facilities for Vulnerable Children
Children in care homes require purpose-built facilities tailored to their social, educational, and developmental needs. This property does not appear to meet those requirements. Additionally, past experiences with similar homes (e.g., 63 Northiam, N12) indicate that such conversions can result in operational and neighbourhood issues.
