Council opposes plan for rural children's homes
Getty ImagesA bid to create three children's homes in the countryside has been opposed by a council.
The proposals were for three properties at Hole House Farm, near Lanchester in Durham, each to accommodate up to two children aged between seven and 17.
The developers had said the provision would help meet the shortage of children's residential placements across the region.
However, Durham County Council planning officers have recommended rejecting the scheme arguing that it "would not result in a safe environment" and would provide insufficient garden space for the proposed use.
Local Labour councillor Alison Gray said the rural setting would be "ideal" for children with difficult experiences.
"There is plenty of space for walks and playing," she said.
"The location and plenty of space mean that vehicles coming and going to provide support will not annoy residents."
'Too rural'
But the authority said the site's countryside location would mean it was not close to essential services or public transport, leaving residents and staff heavily reliant on private cars, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
It also said the number of journeys associated with caring for the children, combined with those generated by a neighbouring children's home, would result in a "sizeable number of journeys by unsustainable modes of transport".
Councillors are due to decide on the children's homes on Thursday.