Controversial plans for a new children’s home in Huddersfield will be determined next week, after 36 objections were received.
The plans relate to a six-bedroomed property at Far View Crescent in Almondbury and come from Lighthouse Care Residential. The applicant hopes to secure planning permission to change the use of the property from a dwelling to a children’s home.
Under the plans, the home would cater for up to three children, aged between 7 and 18, with a manager and up to three carers, two of whom would sleep there overnight. A supporting document explains that the home will care for children with a range of needs that reflect developmental trauma, neurodiversity, sensory issues, emotional and behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.
This isn’t the first time plans have been submitted to turn the site into a children’s home, with three other applications submitted between November 2024 and April 2025. These had hoped to secure a Certificate of Lawfulness, allowing the property to be used as a children’s home without having to go through the full planning process. However, two were rejected, and the other withdrawn by the applicant.
The latest application for planning permission is being decided by Kirklees Council’s District-wide Planning Committee at the request of ward councillor, Alison Munro (Lib Dems, Almondbury). The vast majority of the responses are in objection, but council officers have suggested the plans are approved.
One objector said: “Having read through all the supporting information nothing much has changed in this application apart from a half-hearted attempt at a parking policy, and a design and access statement which has the wrong address, and obviously been copied and pasted from a different application.
“Whilst out on the crescent I’ve been approached a few times by worried elderly residents. These old folk have lived here many years and again for the fourth time have anxiety and stress over this. Not to mention my own children and the residents in general. No one is exactly sure how many children it’s for, as the information is contradictory.
“Clearly this is a small community which will be impacted massively if the application is successful.”
One of four supporters, who described themselves as an “interested party” of the street and surrounding area, wrote: “I acknowledge that earlier applications faced objections, those concerns seem to have been taken seriously.
“In response, a comprehensive and transparent plan has been developed that directly addresses the feedback received from neighbours and stakeholders. This includes revised operational procedures, enhanced community engagement, and clearer documentation of the home’s purpose and safeguards.”
A final decision will be made at the committee’s next meeting on 9 October.
