The Calderdale Council Planning Committee met on 9 September 2025, and approved the minutes from the meeting held on 19 August 2025. The committee then approved an application to change the use of a property on Forest Crescent from a dwelling house to a children's home.

Planning Application: 15 Forest Crescent, Halifax, HX2 8DS

The committee approved application 25/00291/FUL for a change of use at 15 Forest Crescent, Halifax, HX2 8DS from a dwelling house (Class C3¹) to a children's home for a maximum of one child (Class C2²).

The Director, Regeneration and Strategy recommended that the application be permitted.

The application was brought to the committee because more than 10 objections had been received from neighbours. Concerns raised by objectors included:

• Anti-social behaviour associated with the property's previous use for supported living
• Lack of consultation with residents about the previous use
• The quiet nature of the area and the presence of children playing nearby
• The proximity of other similar facilities
• Parking problems caused by staff vehicles
• Devaluation of house prices

Following clarification of how the property would operate, residents were re-consulted, but no further comments were received.

Calderdale Council Highways initially objected to the application due to a lack of information, but withdrew their objection after the applicant agreed to extend the existing driveway to provide two tandem parking spaces. West Yorkshire Police initially objected to the application due to a lack of information, but withdrew their objection after receiving further details. They recommended that the home have appropriate security measures, such as lockable doors, CCTV, and a secure fence.

The report considered the application to be policy compliant in relation to the principle of development, and noted the Written Ministerial Statement 'Planning for accommodation for looked after children' May 2023, which states that the planning system should not be a barrier to providing homes for the most vulnerable children in society.

The report also stated that the intensity of the proposed use was very modest and would not be expected to cause any undue harm in a residential area in regard to issues such as residential amenity or highway safety.

The committee resolved to permit the application in accordance with the recommendation of the Director, Regeneration and Strategy.

Conditions of the permission include:

• The development shall be carried out in accordance with the schedule of approved plans.
• The accommodation shall only be used as a children's home and shall be lived in by a maximum of 1 resident with two staff carers.
• Prior to the occupation of the property for the approved use the existing drive shall be extended to 10m in length and a minimum width of 2.2m.

Informatives provided to the applicant included:

• The applicant's attention is drawn to the recommendations of West Yorkshire Police regarding the safe and secure running of the site.
• Where practical the additional parking should be constructed in a permeable material or drain to a permeable area of the application site.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The committee approved the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 19 August 2025, which included the approval of application 24/00136/FUL for land north of Park Works, Park Road, Elland, HX5 9HN.