A dormer bungalow should not be used as a children's care home as it is too small, councillors have ruled.

Egret Care submitted proposals to turn a property in Parklands, Biddulph Moor into a care home for up to three children with special educational needs (SEN) or behavioural challenges.

But planning committee members at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council have voted to refuse the change-of-use application due to concerns over the size of the bungalow.

Under the proposals, two members of staff would be on site around the clock, with a house manager present during the day.

Internal works have already been carried out to increase the number of bedrooms from two to four.

Planning officers, who recommended the application for refusal, said the size of the property and its limited outdoor space mean it is 'not obviously capable of providing appropriate or suitable living conditions' for children requiring specialist care.

They also said proposals to replace an area of garden planting with extra parking spaces would 'erode the character' of the area.

The application also received 30 objections from residents, who raised a number of other concerns such as the lack of facilities for young people in Biddulph Moor and the danger of traffic on Park Lane.

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Objector Martin Lawson told the committee that the location is not suitable for a children's care home.

He said: "This proposal represents an excessive intensification of a small residential property and is incompatible with the low density character of the surrounding area.

"There will be increased traffic and parking pressure from the likely increase in staff and visitors will lead to more on-street parking, creating inconvenience and safety concerns.

"The village also has extremely poor amenities and limited public transport."

Rob Duncan, agent for the applicants, said the facility would make a 'positive contribution' towards meeting the increasing demand for children's care home places in Staffordshire.

He said: "The applicants' mission is to create a safe, nurturing and aspirational home environment where children are empowered to overcome challenges, build resilience and achieve their fullest potential.

"There is, sadly, a very pressing need for this type of development, with the number of children living in care homes having increased by 10 per cent in just the last 10 years. There is a recognised shortage of care home provision within Staffordshire."

But members of the planning committee agreed with their officers' assessment and voted for refusal.

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Councillor Adam Parkes said that while he would normally be in favour of more children's care homes, he could not support this scheme due to the size of the property.

Cllr Parkes said: "The one thing that children with SEN need is maximum space. To me this seems like trying to get as many bedrooms out of it as possible. I'm not saying this is the case, but this is where I begin to fear 'care for cash'.

"There's no way that this is a home for three children, especially three children with special educational needs.

"We need as many of these homes as possible, but I will not put children in a place that I do not think is suitable."