Plans have been submitted to Durham County Council to convert a property into a solo children's home for children aged between six and 17.

The house, in Pendle Close, Peterlee, is proposed to be registered with Ofsted.

According to planning documents, there will be no significant physical changes required to the property to facilitate its use as a solo children’s home and the property will remain indistinguishable from the neighbouring property.

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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 solo children’s home, compared to that of a family occupying a similar-sized property.

The purpose of the children’s home will be to provide care for one child aged between six and 17 upon coming to live in the home. The child, through no fault of their own, will no longer be able to live safely with 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.

It is proposed that the child who comes to live in the home will be cared for by two but no more than three care staff over a 24-hour period.

The care staff will work on a rotational basis as opposed to permanent live-in carers.

Shift patterns have been designed to minimize disruption to any child living in the home and the care staff who will sleep over at the home, meaning they will be in the home for a 24 hour period.

It is proposed that a home manager be appointed who will register with Ofsted to manage the home.

The child living in the children’s home will go about their daily living much like any other child who lives in a family home.

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 house is a detached property with front and rear gardens. The garden areas are small but well-presented and safe with a high fence that gates that are lockable.

Close by there is ample off-street parking for care staff and visitors.