Neighbours are calling for a children's care home on their street to be closed down due to anti-social behaviour.

Retrospective plans have been submitted to change the use of the property in Earlswood Road, Birches Head, into a care home for one child.

But residents have called for the application to be refused, saying that the facility is already causing problems with anti-social behaviour, resulting in several calls to the emergency services, due to 'lack of supervision'.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has received around 20 letters of objection.

But the application has been recommended for approval, with officers saying that any concern over how the home is being operated is not a matter for the planning system.

Ward councillor Adrian Knapper has asked for the application to be determined by the planning committee. In his call-in request, Cllr Knapper says there has been 'severe and ongoing noise disturbance', including 'persistent screaming, shouting and use of abusive language'.

He asks for the committee to refuse the application due to 'unacceptable loss of amenity' and the failure to mitigate anti-social behaviour.

According to the application submitted by Egret Care Ltd, the care home will provide accommodation for one child aged between eight and 17.

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There would be a maximum of two carers based at the home, although up to four would be present during handover periods.

Egret Care specialises in supporting children with special educational needs, behavioural challenges and mild disabilities.

According to the application, the company's mission is to 'create a safe, nurturing, and aspirational home environment' and that it is committed to 'maintaining a friendly and professional relationship with neighbours'.

The application states: "The continuing increase in children requiring full time care means there is a growing demand for more children's care homes to support and protect these children in need.

"The submitted proposal will cater for one child, supervised by two members of staff. The child and staff will prepare meals together and will live together in a family-style environment.

"In this respect the care home will operate in a similar manner to a normal family dwellinghouse, and the location of the site within a residential setting will help the child to integrate with society. As with all facilities of this nature, the care home will be registered and regulated by Ofsted."

In their report to the planning committee, officers note that the proposed use of the property would be no different to a 'traditional family residential dwelling', and say the application cannot be refused on residential amenity grounds.

The report states: "Notwithstanding the concerns of local residents, in determining this application, the local planning authority can only consider material planning considerations.

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"Given this, the supervision and operational management of this particular care home cannot be a consideration in the determination of this application which is outside the control of the planning system and separate legislation and organisations exist, including Ofsted and local authority social services, with regard to the operational running of individual care homes."

The planning committee will consider the application when it meets on Wednesday, March 18.