City leaders have bemoaned the “demonising” of children’s homes and nurseries across Liverpool as two new facilities received planning permission.

Members of the local authority’s planning committee have this morning signed off on proposals to remodel a two-storey mid terraced property on Stoneville Road, Old Swan, which is currently a single dwelling house. Under the plans put forward by Daniel Shapcott, the building would be repurposed into a children’s home to care for two young people aged between 10 and 18.

The property will be occupied by two young people, a maximum of two carers, a residential social worker and housing manager at any one time. However, objections had been made by a city councillor and members of the public.

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It had been claimed development would lead to an increase in parking, noise and raised concerns over the security of surrounding properties. Further worries were issued around the size of the property and the suitability of it.

Comments were also left by objectors who said they had concerns “over behaviour of visiting family members” and a potential increase in anti-social behaviour should the proposals go-ahead. Others said the new children’s home could “cause mental health issues for the elderly” and impact a neighbouring pet’s safety.

Plans were also green lit for a nursery to be installed at a previously mixed use building on South Drive, Knotty Ash. Cllr Joe Hanson said new children’s homes was something the city needed, not to diminish.

He said: “Liverpool is in desperate need of these facilities for our kids. We should be there to help and support these kids, not diminish them.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Cllr Alan Gibbons who said as a former teacher the sound of children laughing and playing was a “natural and enhancing feature of our communities.” Cllr Mirna Juarez said the 69 objections raised in relation to the Old Swan application was “quite a high number” but committee chair, Cllr Tony Concepcion, criticised those who sought to criticise plans of its nature.

In moving the application be approved, he said: “It is sad that there are people in this city that can demonise these type of things with no just cause.”

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