THE owners of a house in Aveley are seeking formal permission to turn it into a children's home.

The property at 41 Meadow Drive was granted a lawful development certificate for a change of use from a residential home to a children's home but now full planning permission is sought to operate the three-storey town house as a children's care home.

If approved the home will care for children aged from 12 to 16.

The home will be staffed on a 24-hour basis to adequately support the residents. There would be two carers on duty during the day and night and a manager would also be working Monday to Friday.

The property has two parking spaces which applicants, London-based, If They Care, say is sufficient and would not impact street parking.

The applicants said: "Given the intended form of occupation, which would be akin to a family in residence rather than an institutional care home, there would be no harm to the residential amenities of the adjoining residents with regards to noise or disturbance.

"Comings and goings from the property would be akin to a residential dwelling.

"There may be a difference in terms of vehicle movements to and from the site as staff will be employed and there will be visits from other care professionals but given the small scale nature of the proposal, it is not considered that this difference would give rise to a material adverse impact on the character of the locality."

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They added: "The change of use would be acceptable as the proposal is providing a much-needed community resource. The proposal would not detrimentally impact the character of the area, neighbouring amenities or parking demand.

"The scheme complies with relevant policy and guidance and should therefore be approved without delay."