THURROCK Council planning officers have added to the growing list of approvals by giving the green light to another application to convert a family dwelling into a care home for children.

The latest successful application is for a two-storey end of terrace dwelling house situated on St Francis Way in Chadwell St Mary.

The new use, permitted under the issue of a certificate of lawfulness, will see the home occupied by two young residents and one permanent carer.

There are no internal or external alterations to the proposed to the building.

A statement to planners said: "The proposed use for children/young people who find living in a family environment too difficult due to their past experiences of family life.

"They may have experienced emotional, behavioural difficulties, physical abuse and neglect. These experiences impinge on their ability to respond to the pressures of day-to-day living.

"Promoting positive social interaction in both formal and informal settings and enabling them to make sense of their past experiences will allow them to develop strategies for everyday living and enable them to integrate positively into the wider community."