A COUNCILLOR has called for a full consultation over plans for a bungalow in Marton to be changed into a supported living facility.

Councillor Chris Hobson, who represents Marton West, has said that care provider Swanton Care needs to come and explain its proposals to people in the area.

The company supports people with “learning disabilities, autism, acquired brain injuries, mental health support needs and other complex care needs to live life to the full.”

The new plans could see a four-bedroom bungalow on The Gables, which was yet to be sold to the care provider earlier this week, being used as a supported living facility for two people, with a maximum of two staff staying at night and four staff and a manager during the day.

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Local residents have expressed their fury over the potential changes to the home and have raised concerns about parking and access.

One person said: “We are really angry, it just seems to be cut and dry and sorted out without much consultation.”

Cllr Hobson, who is part of the Middlesbrough Independent Group, said: “I would like to see the company come and consult with the residents, have a proper meeting, including the ward councillors. I would like to see a proper consultation done.

“I would like to see from the council a 100% surety that it does not need planning permission.

“I am still not convinced and I know the residents are not convinced.”

She went on to add that the council’s head of planning Paul Clarke and development control manager Andrew Glossop should also be involved in the consultation.

Middlesbrough Council has said that the property will be classed as residential, despite the changes, so a full planning application is not required for the company to provide care services from the home.

“It’s an absolutely awful thing to do”

Residents in the area, especially those on Aycliffe Road, a cul-de-sac next to the bungalow, believe they have not been properly consulted.

Cllr Hobson added: “It’s an old aged pensioners area and they are all really upset about this.

It might end up being something and nothing but the real issue is the parking around there.

“It’s very narrow roads and there is just not enough space to park at all.

“As I say, it could end up being absolutely no problem whatsoever but the residents are really really upset and for them not to have sat down and explained who was going in, how many people were going in, where they would park, what problems they could come up with and listen to both sides of the problems, to me it’s an absolutely awful thing to do.”

Local people believe that the number of staff cars at the bungalow could lead to too many cars taking up space on the narrow roadsides.

One resident said: “It’s mainly the parking that we have an issue with.

“All of the visitors to another house over the road already all park over my drive [on Aycliffe Road].

“You can’t park on the front [The Gables] because it’s that busy, so people visiting houses there park on this road.”

While another resident added: “These bungalows were built 60 years ago and the roads were as well and the roads just do not accommodate all the cars already.”

A spokesperson for Swanton Care said: “As I am sure you will already be aware, these supported living arrangements are a feature of national and local government policy over many years for delivery of “care in the community” and whereby personal care can be provided to people as part of the overall support they need to live in their own homes.

“As such we would expect that any car parking arrangements will be limited and will readily be accommodated within the site.”

Residents have complained that the council should have led much wider consultation on the changes.

One resident in the area said: “There has been no consultation. Nobody has been and knocked on our door and explained what has happened. You think that would’ve been courteous.”

In response, a spokesperson for Middlesbrough Council has previously said: “The council’s decision must be based on the facts within the legal framework and the authority must simply decide whether or not the proposed use requires planning permission based on the nationally set legal requirements for planning permission.

“Under planning legislation a dwelling can be used by up to six residents living as a single household and in need of care without the need for planning permission.

“In this instance, having regard to the relevant legal principles and the submitted evidence, it has been concluded that the use described in the application falls within Class C3(b) of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order as a residential institution.

“The existing use of the premises falls within Class C3(a), as a dwelling house. Both uses are in the same use within Class C. A change of use from C3a to C3b does not amount to development, in accordance with section 55(2)(f) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Accordingly planning permission is not required for the use, and the Certificate of Lawful Development has therefore been issued.”

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