Plans Approved for Residential Care Home for Children in the Rhondda Fach

Plans for a residential care home for children in the Rhondda Fach have been given the go ahead.
The application for the change of use from a house to a residential care home for up to four children and the reinstatement of car parking at Gwynfryn in Brynbedw Road, Tylorstown, went before Rhondda Cynon Taf’s planning committee on Thursday, April 11, and was approved.
It will involve the internal conversion of the property, with a living room, dining room, kitchen and staff welfare room at ground-floor level, along with a store and toilet.
On the first floor will be five bedrooms, a bathroom and an office.
The property has outdoor space to the front, rear and side, including a driveway.
The application also includes a formal parking area for six spaces to the rear of the house, which will require the construction of a new retaining wall.
A planning statement submitted with the application said: “The applicant operates several homes throughout South Wales and the proposed use would operate in a similar manner to other homes under their care.
“Up to four children, aged between eight and 18 years, would live at the property. They would usually be long-term residents and typically, the reason for the children needing care is that they are not old enough to live independently or require additional support that cannot be provided within their current setting.
“The maximum number of care staff at any one time would be four persons. The care staff and manager would live elsewhere, and the dwelling is not their permanent residence.”
A written request was received from Councillor Robert Bevan for the
application to be reported to committee so members could consider the key impacts of the development.
One letter of objection was received following consultation but the report said it did not identify any specific concerns and just noted a general objection to the proposal for a children’s home at the property.
In recommending approval, planning officers said in their report: “The application site is in a predominantly residential area, within settlement boundary limits and in a sustainable location with good access to public transport and key services and facilities, which is considered acceptable.
“The site also relates to an existing residential property and, other than an
element of care and the presence of a small number of staff, the proposed use
would continue to be residential in nature.
“Furthermore, the proposal would not impact upon the character and appearance of the application property or upon the amenity and privacy of surrounding properties, nor would it have any adverse impact upon highway safety in the vicinity of the site.”
Councillor Sharon Rees said they expect children to be accommodated in high quality accommodation and said this offered that with outdoor amenity space.
Councillor Wendy Lewis said it looked a good quality home for children and Councillor Danny Grehan said it looked like it would be a nice place for them to live.
Councillor Gareth Hughes also supported the application. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​