The Planning Committee of Melton Council is scheduled to consider a planning application for a change of use at 2 Wallis Close, Melton Mowbray, and to discuss the implementation of new national regulations affecting planning functions. The committee will also review the minutes from its previous meeting.

Change of Use at 2 Wallis Close, Melton Mowbray

A key item on the agenda is a report concerning an application for a change of use at 2 Wallis Close, Melton Mowbray. The proposal seeks to change the use of a residential dwelling (Use Class C3) to a Children's Care Home (Use Class C2). The property is described as a two-storey, five-bedroom detached house. The proposed care home would accommodate up to three children aged between 8 and 17 years old, with two carers present at any time. The report indicates that no external alterations are proposed.

The report outlines that the application has generated objections from local residents and Ward Members, Councillor Ian Atherton and Councillor Sharon Butcher. Concerns raised include the perceived lack of local need for such accommodation, potential issues with parking, and the appropriateness of the location for a children's care home, citing safeguarding concerns and potential impacts on local policing and safeguarding services. Neighbours have also raised objections regarding traffic, highway safety, parking, and the potential for anti-social behaviour, noise, and disturbance.

However, the report's recommendation is for the application to be APPROVED, subject to conditions. The report states that the principle of development is acceptable, citing the Melton Local Plan's¹ policy SS1, which supports sustainable development, and policy C2, which encourages a mix of housing types. It also references Melton Borough Council's Planning Guidance for Children's Homes (March 2024), which advises against an undue concentration of such homes. The report notes that while other children's homes exist in the wider area, there are none in the immediate vicinity of Wallis Close, and the proposed operation is of a limited scale. The report also addresses highway matters, stating that the Leicestershire County Council Highways² have raised no objections and that adequate parking provision can be made.

Implementation of the National Scheme of Delegation for Planning Functions

The committee is also scheduled to receive a report on the implementation of the National Scheme of Delegation for Planning Functions. This report details upcoming changes to national regulations, specifically The Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026, which are due to come into force on 31 October 2026.

These regulations will introduce a mandatory National Scheme of Delegation for planning functions across England. The report explains that this will mean that certain planning applications, previously determined by committees, will now have to be decided by officers. This includes applications such as householder applications, minor residential and commercial developments, and applications to discharge conditions. The report highlights that current local practices, such as ward member call-in powers or automatic referral to committee based on the number of objections, will no longer be permissible if they are inconsistent with the National Scheme of Delegation.

The report indicates that the Council will need to update its Constitution, Planning Scheme of Delegation, and associated Planning Committee procedures to comply with these new regulations. The formal decision to amend the Constitution will likely require consideration by Full Council. The committee is being informed of these changes and the implications for the future role of the Planning Committee, which will become more focused on significant applications that meet specific statutory criteria.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The committee will also be asked to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 9 July 2026.