# 42 Prince Drive, Oadby

- **Decision:** dismissed, 17 August 2026
- **Decided by:** Planning Inspector: Timothy Parton
- **Authority:** Oadby and Wigston (East Midlands)
- **Appeal reference:** 6006636
- **Application reference:** 25/00301/COU
- **Procedure:** written-representations
- **Development:** Change of use from dwelling (C3) to children's care home for 3 children (C2)
- **Site context:** inside-settlement
- **Green Belt:** no
- **Framework applied:** No Framework version cited
- **Determinative policies:** HO9
- **Development plan policies:** Oadby and Wigston Local Plan 2019 Policies 2, 6, 11, Residential Development SPD 2019
- **Main issues:** need for C2 use, living conditions
- **Tags:** tier-2, childrens-home, need-evidence, loss-of-dwelling, framework-not-cited

## Summary
A three-child care home was dismissed because Policy 11 was read as requiring a need specific to the Borough. County and national sufficiency evidence was not enough, set against a county email saying no local children were awaiting placement. The loss of a C3 home in an area of significant housing need counted against it. No Framework is cited (letter dated 17 Aug).

## What made the difference
The up-to-date, Borough-specific county email (DL ¶12). Compare PINS-6006244 (Havering), where the Council's own Sufficiency Assessment established need, and the fork cases on HO7/HO9 for children's homes (PINS-6010861, PINS-6011401).

## Policy findings
- **HO9: fail.** Framework not cited; Policy 11 read as requiring Borough-specific need; county/national evidence insufficient; LCC email: no Oadby and Wigston children awaiting placement (DL 3-13)
- **HO7: harm.** loss of a C3 dwelling given significant Borough housing need (DL 14-16)
- **P3: pass.** NDSS-compliant rooms, adequate staff space (DL 17-22)

## Key facts
- Conflicting earlier appeals on Policy 11 (APP/L2440/W/24/3355109 vs 3336468)
- County and DfE sufficiency evidence showed general pressure but not Borough need

## Sources
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/published-document/3948e80f-4895-46e5-b783-b984479c9d57
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6006636

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Source: https://planningdistilled.org/research/england/nppf-navigator/decisions/PINS-6006636.html

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