Children’s home bid fails for third time
ANOTHER bid to open a children’s home has failed – the third time attempts to place one in Macclesfield have hit problems in as many months.
Residential care firm Stepping Stones Building a New Direction had wanted to use a house on Stafford Walk, Upton Priory, to look after two 12-15-year-olds.
The children would have been placed by Cheshire East Council but the company has now withdrawn its request to use the semi-detached property.
The council has confirmed this is the case but the reason has not been revealed.
In late August True Care Children withdrew a similar application to use Gunco House, in Butley, amid huge opposition from nearby residents.
It would have taken four youngsters aged seven to 17 with ‘social, emotional and behavioural difficulties’ with the company saying onsite staff would play a parental role to make it similar to a family household.
But those living nearby said the property was unsuitable and there was little public transport, leaving vulnerable youngsters ‘cut off and isolated’ in a village.
Currently the council has another application for a children’s home in a residential house on Yew Tree Lane, Poynton, with a decision expected this month.
Kedleston Group wants to use it to look after up to five youngsters aged 12 to 17 who ‘may have social, emotional and/or low-level mental health issues’.
Again though there has been objections from residents – on this occasion around 25.
They say the application has not been publicised widely enough and have concerns over noise, traffic and the potential for disorder and anti-social behaviour in an area with existing elderly residents.
A former headteacher is among the objectors and says: “I have knowledge of the needs of children with these conditions. They need one to one supervision and there isn’t enough room on this site.
“I’m in my 70s and there are many older people as well as young families in the immediate vicinity.
“We are all anxious about extra traffic, potential for conflict and nuisance.”
But among those who have responded to the consultation is a student social worker from Stockport who stated the case for children’s homes.
They said: “The children in these homes are some of society’s most vulnerable and have nowhere else to call home. They will have been through more trauma than some of us could even fathom.
“It is vital that every child has a roof over their heads, food in the bellies and somewhere safe to call home. If we can provide these children with this we limit the problems they will face in adulthood.
“I think Poynton is a great place for these children to call home, a nice village that could be considered well off, is perfect for these children to see the lives they could eventually have.”