Decision

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder for Garden Town and Planning approves the Children’s Homes Guidance Note (Appendix A to the report) for publication on the Planning pages of the council’s website to be used as a material planning consideration in the determination of planning applications.

Reasons for the decision

To ensure that guidance is available to applicants, planning officers and members of the Development Management Committee on planning applications for children’s homes, to support their submission and the decision-making process.

Alternative options considered

Not providing guidance on children’s homes – this is not considered appropriate as the guidance clarifies what is expected of an applicant and how the council will approach assessment of planning applications for children’s homes. With the recent volume of planning applications for conversion of properties to children’s homes it is considered beneficial to provide guidance for future applications.

To wait for a full Local Plan Review – this would provide an opportunity to include a local policy on children’s homes, however, this is unlikely to be in place quick enough for any further applications Harlow may receive but this will be considered as part of any future Local Plan Review.