Acorn Cottage Ipswich Road Elmsett Ipswich Suffolk IP7 6NY
Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for an Existing Use or Operation or Activity including those in breach of a Planning Condition Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) - Continuous use as a children's homeThe home provides residential accommodation and therapeutic support for up to four children at any one time. Each young person is supported by youth mentors on a one-to-one basis during waking hours. Overnight care is provided by one member of waking night staff together with a sleep-in member of staf.The children live together as a single household, in a family-style environment, with staff fulfilling the role of carers and providing day-to-day support. We have previously been advised that this use falls within Class C3(b), which covers dwelling houses - where up to six residents live together as a single household and receive care.In addition to residential care, the home also provides on-site education for its residents. An Ofsted-regulated school operates from an existing building attached to the front of the property, which serves as a classroom. Qualified teachers travel to the home to deliver formal education to the children. The education provision is also inspected and regulated by Ofsted alongside the children?s home. The school was registered in 2009.The use of the premises as described has been established and regulated for more than 20 years, and no material change of the children?s home has taken place during this period. The property continues to operate as a small therapeutic children?s home with associated education provision for its residents.