The Development Control Committee was scheduled to consider a change of use application for a property in Hardwicke, Gloucester, to be used as a children's home. The committee was also scheduled to approve the minutes from its previous meeting.

Change of Use Application at 21 The Plantation, Hardwicke, Gloucester

The Development Control Committee was scheduled to consider an application for a change of use at 21 The Plantation, Hardwicke, Gloucester. The proposal was to change the use of a residential dwelling (Class C3) to a residential institution (Class C2) to operate as a children's home for up to two children.

The report pack indicated that the application had been referred to the committee due to public interest, with concerns raised about the impact on residential amenity, the suitability of the development in its location, and its effect on local parking and highway safety.

The report pack detailed that Hardwicke Parish Council had objected to the application, citing concerns about the impact on adjacent properties, the suitability of a mid-terraced house for such a use, limited parking, and potential issues for emergency vehicles and during school pick-up times. They also noted a perceived over-provision of children's homes in the county and questioned the justification for losing a residential dwelling.

Approximately 20 objections from local residents were also noted in the report pack, with primary concerns including poor parking provision, impact on highway safety due to additional vehicle movements, potential for increased noise and disturbance, the inadequacy of the driveway for modern vehicles, and a detrimental impact on access and parking within the wider estate. Some residents also mentioned restrictive covenants on the properties that stipulated they should remain dwellings.

The report pack suggested that the proposed use was considered compatible with the property and the surrounding residential area. It noted that the dwelling was of a sufficient size to accommodate the proposed arrangement of up to two resident children and two carers without resulting in over-occupation or an intensity of use out of keeping with the character of the property. The report pack indicated that the level of comings and goings, vehicle movements, noise, and general activity associated with the use was not expected to materially exceed that which could reasonably arise from a family dwelling. The report pack also highlighted that the presence of trained care staff on site at all times would provide a significant degree of management and supervision.

The report pack recommended that the application be permitted, subject to conditions restricting the number of resident children and on-site staff to ensure the use remained compatible with the size of the dwelling and the residential character of the area, and to safeguard the amenities of neighbouring occupiers.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The Development Control Committee was scheduled to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2026. These minutes are available to view in the Minutes of Previous Meeting.pdf.