Former residential home to be converted into home for care leavers despite objections

A former residential home for the elderly in Wyke will become a home for care leavers despite scores of objections.
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Kirklees Council has approved a certificate of lawfulness to convert the former Westholme Residential Home in Wyke into a home for young adults aged 16-18 leaving care.

It will be run by Bradford-based Horton Housing Association (HHA).

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The move proved unpopular with residents living close to the site on the A58 Whitehall Road.

A former residential care home for the elderly on Whitehall Road in Wyke, which has been earmarked to become a home for care leavers aged 16-18 (LDR photo)A former residential care home for the elderly on Whitehall Road in Wyke, which has been earmarked to become a home for care leavers aged 16-18 (LDR photo)
A former residential care home for the elderly on Whitehall Road in Wyke, which has been earmarked to become a home for care leavers aged 16-18 (LDR photo)

Residents and local councillors rejected HHA’s claim that the building had formerly been a children’s home.

However the council could have found itself facing a legal challenge if it attempted to turn down the scheme as the classification for elderly care homes and children’s homes is the same.

Sue Atkinson, services director at HHA, said the company was proposing to develop supported accommodation in Wyke for young people aged 16 to 18 who have been homeless or are at risk of homelessness and including young people leaving care.

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She said all young adults residing at the address are in full-time education and/or training and that the service would be staffed 24 hours a day.

Ward councillors Kath Pinnock and Andrew Pinnock, who both represent Cleckheaton for the Liberal Democrats, were lobbied by residents who objected to the plan.

Coun Kath Pinnock described the site as “a really inappropriate place for care leavers to be housed”.

Her colleague Coun Andrew Pinnock said meetings had taken place between Horton Housing and some residents, which had helped to “clear the air”.

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He said the council had been faced with determining a legal matter under the aegis of planning and that the council had no legal case to refuse it.

He added: “From a planning point of view there wasn’t a lot we could have done to intervene, but the discussions between the developer and the residents ought to have done the trick.

“Potential regulators in Kirklees are well aware of the situation and will be keeping a close eye on the development when it actually takes place.”

One resident who had objected to the plan commented: “Kirklees Council has now approved Horton Housing’s application to change the use of 340 Whitehall Road, Wyke from a home for elderly residents to a home for young adults aged 16 to 18.

“The council received in excess of 80 comments stating that the area was not suitable for young adults due to the lack of facilities for this age group.”