Permission has been granted to convert Plans to convert the former Buckmaster House retirement home in Broadstairs into a 17 bedroom residential family centre.
Applicant Majestic Family Services provides support and assessment for families in a residential environment. The company has two other premises in Thanet and the application site has been identified to expand their services.
The family centre will support and assess parents in a residential setting, working alongside Local Authority social workers.
Majestic works with young parents under the age of 16, parents over the age of 16, care-leavers, parents with mental health concerns or learning disabilities and parents with drug and alcohol related issues.
The service provides parenting assessments, parenting programmes and support for families living in their own homes.
Planning documents asking for change of use at the Western Esplanade building say there will be minimal internal changes to create the necessary level of shared communal spaces. There are no external alterations.
Four representations objecting to the application were lodged with Thanet council with concerns over drug/alcohol issues, antisocial behaviour/public safety, noise nand nuisance and whether the number of staff for the proposed development would be enough.
Broadstairs Town Council unanimously supported the application.
A report from a district council planning officer said: “The proposal results in the loss of a care home that is also a community facility and is replaced with a similar use – residential family centre, as such there would be no net loss of community facility.
“The bedrooms vary in size- some being quite large and others that are more modest, but all have en-suites and good levels of natural daylight and ventilation.
“Given that the families would be there on a temporary basis I consider that the overall standard is acceptable. The floorplans provided show the existing internal layout retained and utilised, comprising bedrooms and a shared communal kitchen, laundry room, main living room, dining room and in addition offices for staff providing support.
“The supporting statement explains there would be up to 8 staff in addition to the deputy manager and manager during the day and 2- 3 staff members overnight to assist with any necessary needs of the families. During the day there could be between 2-3 social workers visiting.
“Occupiers of the building would have access to the outside patio/garden. Overall, the room sizes and general layout would provide occupiers with a good standard of living.”
The officer also noted the Outstanding grading from Ofsted for operator Majestic Family Services.
In response to some of the concerns the report states there will be CCTV on the outside of the building.
It adds: “Vulnerable families will come to the centre to have their parenting assessed – most of them will be single mothers who have just given birth so it is highly unlikely they are involved in any form of crime or anti-social behaviour.
“Majestic are a professional company, and they do not have security or crime issues as evidenced by our Ramsgate and Minster centres.
“At the start of every assessment each family has a higher level of supervision, they do not go out to places on their own until they have built up a level of trust. If there were any really concerning behaviour, the assessment stops and the family return home.”
Majestic will provide 12-week assessment placements for up to eight families at any one time within the home, although there is sufficient internal space to extend this to additional families in the future.
Buckmaster House was first constructed in 1895 and originally served as a convalescent home for women from London to enjoy the seaside and sea air.
There have been various alterations and extensions to the eastern wing of the building, in particular during 20th century. The property was used as a retirement complex with 22 bedrooms until the Abbeyfield charity shut it down last year.
The approval for the application was published yesterday (March 12).
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