Bedford borough councillors refused plans for a residential care home for up to five cared-for adults in Renhold, despite an officer recommendation for approval.
The application sought permission for a change of use of 30 Hookhams Lane to a residential care home staffed 24 hours a day by eight members of staff.
The Planning Committee (Monday, 23 March) heard there would be four staff on site during the day and three at night.
Council planning officers had recommended approval, saying the proposal involved “no external alterations to the building or its curtilage” and that the parking provision “would be considered to accord” with parking standards.
But an objector told members the property had previously operated as a home for three adults with severe learning difficulties and had caused problems for neighbours.
The resident said: “Historically, as a home for three adults, it struggled.”
He spoke of groups of visitors forming in the garden area to the rear, which meant a loss of privacy, “especially on good days”.
He added that the home had caused parking issues with parking on the road, grass verges, and surrounding road, which was “considerable and problematic”.
Cllr Nicola Gribble (Independent, Renhold and Ravensden) also objected.
“The proposal is considered unsuitable for this quiet, predominantly residential area on a busy village road,” she said.
“The uplift from three supported residents to five, with eight members of support staff, is too much for this site.”
The application drew 14 objections, with Renhold Parish Council also objecting, raising concerns about site capacity, insufficient parking, and highway safety.
Planning officer Dominique Brockbank told members that Adult Services supported the proposal and that Environmental Health had raised no objection.
“The behaviour of any given resident is not something the planning system has control over,” she said.
The applicant did not attend the meeting.
The committee said the proposal would represent “an unacceptable intensification of use” to the detriment of the character of the area and neighbouring amenity “by way of noise, disturbance and associated vehicle movements”.
The application was refused by a majority vote.
Addressing the resident, the chair of the planning committee, cllr Abbott (Lib Dem, Clapham and Oakley) said: “The applicant does have a potential to appeal this decision. So unfortunately, this potentially isn’t over yet.”
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
