Mixed résponse to planning bid to change house in to children’s home in Church Langley
News / Sun 1st Dec 2024 at 08:47am
A PLANNING application to convert a Church Langley house into a children’s home has met with a mixed response.
The application is what is called a change of use in respect of a property in Malkins Drive, Church Langley.
It has been submitted to Harlow Council.
If an application has a number of objections then it is usual for it to go forward to the Harlow Council planning committee, where a decision will be made.
Over 30 comments have been submitted on the council planning portal since it was submitted in November.
Example in support of application
I fully support the establishment of a children’s home in our local area, recognising the urgent need to provide a safe and nurturing environment for vulnerable children who have faced significant challenges in their young lives.
Many of these children have experienced trauma, neglect, or instability, and they deserve a second chance to rebuild their lives in a setting that prioritises their well-being and development.
Example of Against
Along with all the other comments, parking is a major problem on our street. Staff coming and going ….will only make the parking issues a lot worse for local residents, let alone visitors to my property as well as neighbour’s.
The increased traffic will also cause problems as I assume there will be many visitors/staff. The property in question only has one parking space. This is on the drive outside the house. One of the supporting documents states that staff will be instructed to park away from Malkin Drive or car share. There is no public parking anywhere near Malkin drive and I very much doubt all staff will car share.
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For more details on this application, go to https://www.harlow.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control search for planning and application: HW/FUL/24/00388
Adam
2024-12-01 10:20:37
What they are really concerned about is property prices but they dare not be so open and say it. These kids need somewhere to live and be supported so why not there Church Langley is a nice environment much better and safer for the kids
B
2024-12-01 12:02:53
This article doesn’t accurately portray the concerns of Malkin Drive residents - there is one comment for, and one comment against. There are many more comments that articulate the concerns on the council planning permission page. Residents are not ‘only’ concerned about parking spaces - although this is a huge issue when fire engines and ambulances physically cannot get to those in need on the street. Seven additional cars in this small corner of the street would have an impact - there is no doubt. But there are other concerns - around fire safety in the building itself, local spaces for the children living there amoung many other things. No one is suggesting that these children are undeserving of a safe environment - but the suitability of this location has to be questioned.
Steph
2024-12-01 12:22:15
Personally as a registered foster carer within harlow I think this is a fantastic idea to give teenagers with a real shot at being apart of a supportive loving home environment, something they may never had experienced before. Teenagers are the most overlooked sector in fostering. Not all of the teenagers are trouble makers and road men far from it actually could have come from a home of trauma, neglect or abuse, possibly a parent has passed, it could also just be a day or 2 respite care if a parent os in hospital, could be a day a month or longer. The couple planning this have successfully raised their own 3 incredible children who welcome everyone into the family, with over 10years fostering at this address feom newborn up until 18. Not once in those over 10years at this address has there been any trouble of any kind and not 1 complaint. Yet the minute they want to do something to help more disadvantaged children there is suddenly an issue? They have helped so many children and hiused siblings in care too without any hesitation or in the night as an emergency take in, they are selfless and dedicated. My experience of the few teenage homes available in essex is actually contrary to the apparent opposition comments, no trouble outside or the noise or their view of inviting bad people to the neighbourhood far from it actually. The couple wishing to do this havent been given a free house or anything they have paid more than what others in the area have and have over the years done extensive work inside at thousands of pounds cost also. I would rather the renovations went to them and for their cause rather than a developer whom will lets face it wreck it for profit and wont care about the area the way this family do and have. Any opposition views is quite frankly of draconian views and actually doesnt understand the system nor what it takes to do it nor the children in it. They are stigmatising all teenagers as the yardy ones you see, children in foster care arent of that calibre and i strongly suggest they think of their own family and children and think what if?? Because it can happen to anyone to have a child in care and would they really want them stuck in a loop of a system being passed around week by week or in a home to settle and stay. This couple had a teenager a few years ago they actuallly took on as their own that went onto to college and university because of them, can many harlow parents say the same?Early intervention at any age greatly increase their chances of having a good life. The location away from the town and town park and skate park and the stow is actually ideal so there won't be any opportunity for anyone to tempt them the wrong way. Where's the empathy and compassion these days? These are children that need a loving family?!
R
2024-12-01 13:38:36
Steph - that’s a really lovely personal endorsement to the people that live there and I don’t think anyone would suggest they haven’t done a fantastic job from the examples you’ve given. But this family will not be there when it becomes a care home. It will not be a fostering set-up any more - it becomes a care home.
Steph
2024-12-01 15:24:18
R- surely the fact that their home had actually been run as such for over 10years is testament to the fact that this is a suitable area and suitable placement? My children's step mother works in a teenagers care home that's larger than these plans and their rotas are shifts of 12 on 12 off predominantly and only a couple on shift especially overnight when there would be more of a parking issue, and in a smaller establishment like the one proposed it would be less members than that. I have visited many places due to the teenagers I've had and this is by far the most genuine home environment that could be made for them as appose to the little that is on offer within essex currently, and will be guaranteed to have a high success rate.The environment the area offers is the best form of respite a child could have. If it was at the stow or the town especially I would be putting the potential children first and saying absolutely not there are too many mitigating factors to consider in the wider environment. What k owledge and experience has taught me with the age bracket they are looking to cater for is actually the only disruption as it were is actually runaways, not the impact upon neighbours and areas with regards to gangs and hanging about outside etc. There are strict rules and codes of conduct to follow both inside and outside of these homes and they get adhered too fiercely for the children's safety. I fail to see how as parking is apparently the main worry of many, that this differs from say my neighbour whom has 4 adult children all married and 2 sets live at home and they all drive?& when more visit obviously there are more cars. I'm sure with the plans proposed these areas have been scrutinised and they have made sure that everyone's needs within reason will be catered too. In all of my years I've never been in a home that is fully staffed with all 7 members day and night meaning 7 cars and spaces needed. These homes are normally always residential based and I urge people to do their homework and see the pros do actually outlay the cons significantly. I do hope and pray that as the generations have grown that there is a far less bigoted view upon the youths that need us as a community to show them they are worth something and they do have futures further than the stigmatised views of the few.
5 Comments for Mixed résponse to planning bid to change house in to children’s home in Church Langley: