Council approves conversion of Harrogate property into children’s home

Councillors approved an application to convert a house in Harrogate into a residential home for children in need.

Subject to being registered by Ofsted, the home at Ashgarth Court near Ashville College will be able to welcome up to three children between the ages of 11 and 18. Two members of staff will be on site at all times.

The applicant Jolyon Mckay, who is the grandson of the owner of the house, addressed councillors on the Harrogate & Knaresborough planning committee yesterday to say he wants to help as many vulnerable children in Harrogate as possible through the plans.

Mr Mckay said:

Local councillor John Mann (Conservative, Oatlands & Pannal) said he’d received “many emails” from residents upset about the proposal. He added that a “quiet residential estate” would not be a suitable place for a children’s home as it is far from a bus stop and other amenities.

Planning documents state the nearest bus stop is a 20-minute walk away on Beckwith Road or Leeds Road.

A North Yorkshire Council report said it expected noise at the children’s home would be the same as if a family resided at the property. The report stated the council was also happy with the size of the property.

Councillors approved the application by four votes to none with one abstention.

Ofsted will have the final say on the size of the bedrooms when it considers a separate application to register the property as a children’s home.

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