A DECISION on a plan to create a home in Yeadon for young women needing 24-hour support has been deferred for a site visit.

The application, by the charity Caring For Life, is for a change of use and first floor side extension of a detached house to a nine bedroom house in multiple occupation at Springfield Farm at Old Whackhouse Lane.

Leeds City Council's Development Control Panel (West) met this week to consider the plan which had been recommended for approval subject to conditions, but deferred a decision until the next meeting following a site meeting with the developer and any objectors.

The application proposed the change of use of the single dwelling to a nine-bedroom complex to provide a long-term home for women who cannot cope with living independently and need support.

The property would be staffed by three full-time residential workers.

Thirty-nine letters of representation have been received over the plan and among the objections, residents fear that there will be:

l an increase in traffic and noise nuisance

l undesirable male visitors attracted to the area

l a detrimental impact on children in the area

l an impact on property prices.

But a planning report states that concerns by local objectors as to the type of resident proposed to live at the farm building are not material planning considerations.

And although the Caring For Life charity currently supports 90 young men and women in accommodation, some of whom have problems including addictions, mental health problems and offending behaviour, the home in Yeadon would not be used for such women with such problems.

The planning report also states that any approval of the plan for multiple occupation at the site can be restricted to the use by the charity to satisfy the concerns of local residents about the future use of the building.

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