CCTV cameras should be installed outside a children’s home for the safety of staff and visitors, councillors suggested as they gave plans the green light.
The development control committee approved plans to convert a two-storey, six-bedroom detached house in Crowstone Road, Westcliff into another a home catering for six children aged between 12 and 18.
At the meeting on Wednesday, Steven Wakefield Independent councillor for Shoebury ward, called for cctv to be fitted to deter antisocial behaviour.
Anne Jones, former councillor responsible for children and learning criticised the call.
She said: “I’d be really concerned that we felt the need to go straight to cctv and antisocial behaviour.
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“Any young person who might reside there would have the right to privacy in the same way that other children living in any other houses in the road would do.
“There’s been no objections raised with regards to that.
“The area I would say is probably a great deal safer than other parts of town where we may want to have residential premiss of any type.
“I would just feel really sad if that was our default position.
“This is a lovely house and I think it will make a lovely home.”
The committee heard Ofsted would inspect the home to ensure it was up to standard.
Councillors approved the application unanimously but suggested cctv should be installed outside the building for the safety of staff, residents and visitors.
Residents are not happy with the decision.
A spokeswoman for the South Westcliff Community Group, said: “We feel it is inappropriate to have this change of use.
“We feel is the wrong decision.
“The council are passing it on to Ofsted, which is not acceptable behaviour.
“I am sure they don’t want the press poking at them saying they aren’t sympathetic to kids.
“This is about business and not about children. Children need the right environment to grow up in and especially kids who have had a rough start in life.”
A second children’s home is proposed by the same applicant, Mr J Mitchell. An application to turn a two-story house in Pembury Road, Westcliff into a six-bedroom children’s home has been submitted.
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