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A New Ferry home could be converted into a children's home that gives specialist accommodation for those in care.
The planning application was filed on July 10 and wants to turn the semi-detached property on Bolton Road East from a family home into a residential care area for two children aged between eight and 18, according to the Wirral Globe.
Architects Planning By Design, who are acting on behalf of planning applicant Dawn Ryder, said the conversion would require no external alterations to the building. The property would retain its character within the street.
The home would also be registered and regulated by Ofsted, which also does checks of schools and education settings. It is intended for young people without mental health or medical needs, and does not require clinical staff on site.
Running the home would be staff who work in residential care and are trained in it. They would work in shifts rather than as live-in carers. Of course, one worker would be on duty around the clock, with a second present overnight.
The plans aim to keep visitors to the house at a minimum. Any staff meetings would be held online, and any arranged meetings between residents and families would also mostly occur away from the property.
As the plans want to turn the home into a residential care facility, safety upgrades would be made. Plans allege there will be new fire doors, secure storage for cleaning stored in the garden shed, and a fire alarm.
The application notes it responds directly to a national policy objective, with a shortage of suitable homes for children in care requiring developers to make use of existing properties rather than building new ones. On the Wirral, figures from two years ago suggested there were 21 children's homes.
Wirral Council's consultation on the application is open until 19 August, so neighbours and other residents can have their say before planning officers decide on the application.
