Plans to open a children's home in a Consett residential property have been approved despite safety concerns.

The proposal involves converting a five-bedroom house on Front Street, Castleside, into a residential institution for two children with two staff members on-site per shift.

The property will undergo some external changes, including the installation of CCTV and additional boundary fencing.

Neighbours, however, raised several concerns, primarily about traffic safety on the A68, privacy issues due to the CCTV, noise levels, and a perceived lack of amenities for children in the area.

A neighbour next door expressed worries about traffic congestion and parking problems, particularly since cars are already frequently parked on solid white lines outside the property.

They stressed that parked cars often block visibility when leaving the driveway.

Sarah Donnison, another neighbour, also objected due to inadequate parking on-site, noting that a previous attempt to extend the parking area by moving the fence was rejected.

She raised concerns that the busy A68 and additional street parking caused by the staff would pose a hazard to both pedestrians and drivers.

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Despite these objections, Durham Constabulary supported the proposal with conditions related to the home’s management plan.

The change of use was deemed acceptable, provided it complies with the County Durham Plan, including sustainable design and transport policies.

The planning permission, granted on September 26, 2024, includes several conditions.

The home can only accommodate children between the ages of 12 and 17, and parking spaces must be available at all times.

A trellis must be added to the fence to ensure privacy for neighbouring properties.

An electric vehicle charging point, a cycle parking space, and a disabled parking bay must be included.

The approved management plan must be strictly followed, ensuring that the home is run in accordance with the County Durham Plan.

The property, which has been vacant since May 18, 2023, when Durham County Council purchased it, will see its parking spaces increase from four to seven, adding three new spaces. No internal changes are planned.