A former care home in Brightlingsea can be used to house children with learning disabilities, planners have decided.
Oaklands, on Church Road, will now be home to six children aged between seven and 17.
It will be operated by London-based SV Services, which runs four homes, including one in Colchester, with two more besides Oaklands, planned.
Seven comments from local residents and one from Brightlingsea Town Council were received. All supported the general provision of children’s care, but suggested that the home could create noise and disturbance, generate increased staff activity, and provide insufficient parking space.
As a care home, Oaklands had permission to house up to 18 residents. In a report compiled by Tendring District Council (TDC) planners, who approved the application under delegated powers, said the new home, with “staffing levels proportionate to one-to-one care”, would result in reduced activity.
“The applicant explains within the supporting information that staffing levels will be lower overall than the former elderly care home, with shift handovers intentionally staggered. Professional visits and family contact will be managed and spread throughout the week, typically during daytime hours,” said the report.
The report added: “The applicant has clarified that the home will support children aged seven–17 with learning disabilities, not behavioural or emotional disorders. The operational model is structured, supervised, and based around routine care, on-site education, and therapeutic support.”
One resident commented that there had been “distressing noise” experienced from a different nearby care facility, but planners said objections had to based on the specific proposal.
The report said that “outdoor use will be supervised and managed” and added: “Internal layout amendments include sensory rooms, education rooms, and break-out spaces designed to minimise noise spill. Bedrooms are relocated to the first floor with staff oversight to reduce night-time disturbance.”
Essex County Council’s highways department raised no objection to the application and provision of the existing four parking spaces, noting that this provision was previously deemed adequate to serve up to 15–18 residents and associated staff.
Oaklands closed as a residential home for the elderly in August 2024. SV Services’ application was required because the home’s existing permission expressly referred to “elderly persons”. The new application covers use without age restrictions.
• TDC has also approved an application to for front, side and rear ground floor extensions, alterations and emergency escape stairs at the Stronvar Rest Home on Church Road. The additions will increase capacity from 18 to 22 residents.
