Plans for a new children's home in Haverhill, Suffolk, have been given the green light despite concerns from neighbours. 

West Suffolk Council has granted permission for a proposal submitted by Area Camden Ltd in February to transform 26 Hamlet Road into a children’s care home.

It would be home to four children aged 10 to 17 who would live at the property long term, potentially for many years.

Planning documents submitted to West Suffolk Council state that there would be no structural changes to the outside of the building, other than routine maintenance, and internal renovations would include painting, decorating and new flooring, as well as the installation of emergency lighting and fire doors. 

Four parking spaces would also be provided, as well as a bin store and cycle storage. 

A planning statement read: "The site is in a very sustainable location and as such is ideally suited for a residential children’s home." 

Despite this, some 45 objections were received from residents as well as objections from Haverhill Town Council and Cllr Aaron Luccarini. 

Concerns included traffic and highways safety, parking, amenity, and other accommodation in the area. 

Cllr Luccarini wrote: "While I have no objection to children's homes, it is important that a property is suitable, providing secure private outdoor play space, adequate parking, and doesn't impact on the amenity of surrounding residents. Unfortunately, I don't believe this property achieves this."

However, a committee report read: "The use, in the opinion of officers, is not considered significantly different to that of a normal family home otherwise falling within use class C3.

It continued: "The proposal exhibits an acceptable level of car parking and retains the residential appearance within a residential location. It is also considered that the proposal would not give rise to any adverse impacts on neighbouring residential amenity."

They added: "There is a changing emphasis towards community care which the development would be providing in order for those who require support to live in the community." 

On July 11, the council gave the plans the seal of approval.

The applicant now has three years to commence work.