A company has applied to change three houses into children’s homes, saying they will provide a “safe and stable” place for the youngsters to grow up.

The applicant, Moonrise24, has asked Stockton Council for a “certificate of lawfulness” for them to change the use of three houses into care homes for small numbers of children. It wants to run an Ofsted-registered home for up to two children aged between six and 17 in a “safe space” and “homely and natural environment” on Fordwell Road, Fairfield, Stockton, improving the detached three-bedroom bungalow by installing an additional toilet and shower room, but no other internal changes.

The same company is making a similar application to use a home on Beech Grove, Maltby as a home for up to two children. It plans to install an additional toilet and cloakroom to the large three-bedroom detached bungalow.

In planning statements, agent Anglo Care Management Consultancy Service says: “These children, through no fault of their own, will no longer be able to live safely with their parents or family members. The proposed children’s home will be operated by Moonrise24, who deliver high quality services to children and adults and are rated good by the Quality Care Commission.

“A small therapeutic environment will be developed where children can grow up in a safe and stable home,” says the agent. It is proposed children will be cared for by up to two care staff working in shifts over a 24-hour period, sometimes sleeping overnight, with an Ofsted-registered manager.

It says there will be enough off-street parking without disruption to the street, and no more visitors than a family home: “The proposed lawful use of the property as a children’s home and registration of the home with Ofsted will not be significantly noticeable to others outside of the property. There will be no significant differences to how any family home of an equivalent size operates.

“The children living in the children’s home will go about their daily living much like any other child who lives in a family home. This will include attending school or college and enjoying activities and clubs.

“Any child living in the children’s home will have their own bedroom and have full access to the shared living space in the house. The property is large and will easily accommodate two children and two care staff.”

It adds planning permission should not be needed as it would not be a “material” change of use: “There are no significant physical changes required to the property to facilitate its use as a small children’s home and the property will remain indistinguishable from the neighbouring properties. There will be no discernible difference between levels of noise, activity and general comings and goings associated with the use of the property as a small children’s home, compared to that of a family occupying a similar sized property.”

The company says it knows of the “significant” need for children in Stockton Council’s care and will consider the authority’s requests first: “Moonrise24 fully understands the need for and are fully supportive of an approach that allows children to be cared for in their hometown.

In a third application, Moonrise24 proposes to use a large four-bedroom detached house on Church Field Way, Ingleby Barwick, with no alterations to the property. This house is already being used by Moonrise24 as an unregistered or unregulated children’s home, with up to two staff caring for one child for 18 months, according to the agent’s planning statement.

Making similar submissions to the other two plans, the agent adds: “It is the applicant’s intention to predominantly provide care for one child as a solo provision. However, the option for other children to come live in the home is desirable and therefore forms part of the request to limit up to three children living in the property at any time.”