72 Crompton Street Chelmsford Essex CM1 3GP

1. 1.FIRST SCHEDULE Use of a (3a) dwelling as a children's home for up to two children, with a manager and two carers who would stay overnight, working on a rota basis(C2). SECOND SCHEDULE Reason 1 The onus is on the applicant to demonstrate that on the balance of probabilities the proposed use would be lawful, and the applicant is responsible for providing sufficient information to support an application. The Planning Practice Guidance states that in the case of applications for proposed development, an applicant needs to describe the proposal with sufficient clarity and precision to enable a local planning authority to understand exactly what is involved. The evidence provided is not clear and unambiguous because the evidence provided leaves ambiguity regarding the number and level of attending care the children would need which also means the staffing requirements and likely level of activity at the site are also unclear. Although some clarity has been provided as regards the number of children to be accommodated at the facility, there remains a degree of ambiguity as to the level of activity associated with the proposed use. 25/01303/CLOPUD The use of the site, on the balance of probability, would amount to a step-change in character and it would not be possible based on the stated purpose and activity associated with the use for the site to remain materially consistent with the C3(a) definition of a single household. The level of activity would give rise to materially greater parking pressures in an area of known parking stress and an increase in on-street parking and car movements would negatively impact the area, a characteristic arising more-so from the proposed function of the site than could be attributed to the current use. The Local Planning Authority is therefore not satisfied that there would be no material change in the use of the property, and therefore, the certificate of lawfulness shall be refused.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

CM1 3GP

Application type

Outline

Scale / size

Small

Validated

11 September 2025

Target decision date

6 November 2025

Statutory period

56 days

Planning Portal ID

PP-14322137

Documents

12