A Denton residential home will soon become care home for children

A two-storey semi-detached home in Denton will soon become a site for children in care.

The house, situated on Manchester Road in Denton, has six bedrooms and has been chosen by applicant Sultan Mahmood to be turned into use for a small specialist children’s care home.

This care home would cater for up to four children between the ages of seven and 18, planning papers suggest.

The home would provide an office within the basement, living room, sensory room, staff bedroom, kitchen and dining room at ground floor, two children’s bedrooms, another staff bedroom and master bathroom on the first floor and two children’s bedrooms on the second floor.

A total of 13 objections have been received by the council in relation to this application, citing traffic problems; lack of parking provision; safety concerns; and noise problems.

Planning officers have recommended the development for approval.

The main point of concern brought by Cllr Brenda Warrington and Manchester Road resident Brian Goodhand was in regard to safety. Cllr Warrington highlighted the A57-Manchester Road was a five-lane dual carriageway, and vulnerable children may try to cross to get to the green space on the other side. 

Mr Goodhand put forward his experience as magistrate in the family court as well as his family history of fostering children before the panel, to highlight his experience in the matters of vulnerable children.

As well as highlighting the safety issues with the dual carriageway, he also pointed to a lack of parking space for a care home that would be catering for social workers, doctors and many other health care professionals. 

Applicant Sultan Mahmood took on board the objections and stated that “you could find many reasons to reject this application”, but wanted the panel to take on board what it brings to the area.

Currently the home operates as an eight-bedroom HMO (house of multiple occupation). 

Mr Mahmood believes this operation, which will be regulated by government watchdog Ofsted, would bring less problems to the area than a HMO.

The panel approved the application by majority decision.