Under Children Act 1989, local authorities have a statutory responsibility to take steps, as reasonably practicable, that ensure children in care are provided with accommodation. Local authorities are highly reliant on the independent sector to provide this care.
Under the requirements of Ofsted, such care homes must be run as closely as possible to a typical family household, while accepting staff are employed on a rota basis to provide the parental support to the children so many have missed in their early years.
Before Ofsted will register a home, evidence of planning consent is required, either in the form of a Lawful Development Certificate or a planning permission.
There is little consistency between local authorities about whether they will grant a Lawful Development Certificate on the basis there is little material difference between a care home and a typical household or will require a planning application.
Such uses can be unpopular, resulting in objection from neighbours concerned about young people bringing crime and anti social behaviour into an area or problems of disturbance or car parking.
Rose consulting has navigated through these challenges to help care providers offer high-quality accommodation embedded in local areas.
Rose Consulting’s Track Record
Successful Applications for Lawful Development Certificates
- Manchester Council 142294/LP/2025
- Oldham Council: CEA/353207/24
- West Northants: 2024/4161/LDP
- Bedfordshire Council: PL/24/2314/SA
- Coventry City Council: PL/2024/0002190/LDCP
- Milton Keynes 24/01924/CLUP
- Enfield Council: 24/04255/CE
- Plus at least ten more across England.
Successful Planning Applications
- Kettering Council: KET/2020/0746
- Sefton Council: DC/2023/00192
- St Helen’s Council: P/2023/0350/FUL
- Kettering Council: KET/2020/0746
- Rother Council: RR/2024/1100/P
- Walsall Council: 24/1097
- South Holland: H13-0767-24
- Plus at least a further four across England
Successful Lawful Development Certificate Appeals
- Derbyshire Dales: APP/P1045/X/20/3263178
- Lewisham: APP/C5690/X/23/3329560
- Welwyn and Hatfield: APP/C1950/X/23/3325924
- Liverpool: APP/M4320/X/22/3300633
- Wyre Council: APP/U2370/X/21/3277997
- Bassetlaw: APP/A3010/X/21/3277785
- Sefton: APP/M4320/X/22/3300633
- Ashford: APP/E2205/X/16/3161037
Successful Planning Appeals
- Stockport: APP/C4235/A/11/2162636
- Bassetlaw District Council APP/A3010/W/23/332252
- Bromley, London: APP/C5690/x/23/3329560
- Worksop: APP/A3010/W/23/3322527
- South Kesteven Council: APP/E2530/W/21/3278968
- Hynburn Council : APP/R2330/W/24/3350453
- Hynburn Council: APP/R2330/W/24/3354008
- Sandwell Council: APP/G4620/W/24/3354903
- Walsall Council: APP/V4630/W/25/3365521
- Calderdale Council: APP/A4710/X/24/3352795