Plans for a controversial children's care home have been given the green light. The four-bedroom home on Millers View, in Cheadle – and conversion of a detached garage at the address into a two-bedroom bungalow – will allow up to four children aged between eight and 16 to live there, with a maximum of four carers operating on a shift basis.

However residents have reacted strongly to the proposed development, with a petition signed by 120 people submitted in opposition to the scheme. Additionally objections have been made by Cheadle Town Council over highway issues and vehicle movements associated with the property. 

Objecting to the scheme resident Warren Horne told councillors: "I urge members to recognise the serious objections and concerns from local residents and council tax payers who chose to live on the estate because of its quiet, residential character. The material change in use represents a more intensive commercial activity out of place with existing issues of noise disturbance, parking, traffic movement, impacts amenity contrary to the national planning framework."

Councillor Mark Deville on behalf of Councillor Mark Haines said: "This report today that we are considering is of massive importance. This is not a kitchen extension or conservatory, it's an application that directly affects the lives of people living in this part of Cheadle and also affects the lives of highly vulnerable children. Children that have probably had the worst possible start in their lives."

Objections were made by Cheadle Town Council and a petition against the plans was signed by 120 people (LDRS).

Councillors were also informed of various restrictive covenants that exist on the property which restrict the activity allowed on the premises and objector Yvonne Colclough said that residents would pursue action in relation to the covenants. However councillors were told that restrictive covenants were not a material planning consideration and granting planning permission does not override residents right to bring action in breach of the restrictions.

Carl Croft representing the applicant said that the children in the home will not have a history of anti-social behaviour but will mostly have some degree of learning difficulties. He told councillors: "The property will be a regular home for four children and will not have a significantly different travel impact than having two children with four children living there. 

"In terms of parking, planning policy requirement is for five parking spaces and the applicant is providing seven, such that should an ambulance need to pull up there would be space for one.In terms of increased noise, there would be no different demand or output from a normal family environment."

Staffordshire County Council's highways department and the district council's environmental health team have raised no objections however. And the local policing team has deemed the home as "low to medium risk"

However one councillor at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council gave an impassioned speech about children's care homes. Councillor Adam Parkes told councillors that he lives next to a children's group home and there have been no issues coming from the home, however issues had arisen from other privately rented properties.

He said: "We need to change the mindset and we need to change the language of looked after children. They are children and they are looked after and they need a home.

"We need to stop our assumptions and start to see them as they are – members of our community, members of our society – we need to welcome them. Only when we change that mindset and only when we change that language can we move forward. 

"If I am wrong and they completely go against everything they've promised, I am so damn lucky we've got Ofsted behind us because that is an organisation with teeth and if people are trying to pull the wool over our eyes, if the children do not behave as they should, or if the management of the place is not as it should, Ofsted will be down on them. 

"Like many other organisations who maybe don't have teeth, we all know Ofsted have proper teeth. Therefore I am more than happy and proud to support this application."

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