Residents divided on proposals for children's homes

In the last two months, applications have been submitted regarding a property on Underwood Way and one on Buckstones Road.

Both proposals are looking for the properties to house vulnerable children, with the house on Underwood Way looking to accommodate three children while the Buckstones Road property would house two children.

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The children would be aged between seven and 17 and would be coming from situations where they are unable to live with their families.

Several people have voiced their objection to the application on Buckstones Road, while the proposal for Underwood Way has drawn dozens of online comments overwhelmingly objecting to the plans.

The property on Underwood Way (Image: Google Maps)

A number of concerns from residents have been shared in these objections, most commonly concerns over traffic, parking, the impact on the character of the area and a potential increase in anti-social behaviour.

One objector wrote: "I'm concerned that the proposals are not in keeping with the quiet residential nature of the area, and will lead to a loss of amenity, privacy, and safe and quiet enjoyment for people who live here."

The concerns over parking and traffic point to the nearby school, Buckstones Primary School, which sees lots of cars in the area in the mornings and when the school day ends, and that the proposal was to increase the traffic impact parking in the area.

The property on Buckstones Road would house two children (Image: Google Maps)

Comments objecting to the proposal on Buckstones Road share the same sentiments, with concerns over the impact it would have on parking in the area.

Despite many opposing the two applications, some people have taken to social media to defend the proposals.

One person wrote: "I've worked in children's homes for the last 14 years and the young people I support have had the hardest of upbringings and through no fault of their own.

"I've met some of the kindest, caring individuals who are respectful and I've also met some who really struggle to regulate their emotions but none of them are bad kids, they just want to live a normal happy life like we all do."

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Another person commented: "Surely nobody sees this as a problem? Nobody knows their background. The kids going in them are probably being given the chance of a better life. Welcome them to the town!"

Others stated that they felt children needed somewhere to live and that posts and comments sharing concerns were "scaremongering".

A decision is yet to be made on either of the properties in question.