PLANS to convert a five-bedroom residential property in West Auckland into a children’s home have been submitted to planners at Durham County Council.
Durham County Council has applied to change the use of Copeland Barns, at Copeland Lane, to a children’s home to house up to three young people.
The proposals do not seek to make any internal changes to the detached property, which sits in a half-acre plot and was purchased by the authority in November and has been vacant since.
In an application to the local authority Claire Hanson, senior asset strategy officer for Durham County Council, said: “Normally five or six members of staff would be at the premises during the day with two or three members of staff on site overnight.
“There are no internal changes required for the property apart from general works to make the property suitable for a children’s home.”
External works to the property include the installation of 8ft and 6ft close board fencing at specific points around the property as well as CCTV.
In a statement of purpose Paul Rudd, children and young people’s services strategic manager for Durham County Council, said the aim of the children’s home at Copelands Barns is to care for up to three young people aged between eight and 18.
He added the home would provide somewhere for young people who are unable to live with their families or foster families at this point in their lives.
Mr Rudd said: “To provide additional security for our young people, team and visitors there are security cameras situated on the outside of the building. The cameras are for security purposes only, not surveillance.
“If the young people living at the home are subject to an electronic monitoring service by a court, or other court order, the team will co-operate fully with any restrictions or curfews.”
