- Decision
- dismissed, 17 August 2026
- Decided by
- Planning Inspector: K Mee
- Authority
- Liverpool (North West)
- Appeal reference
- 6009126
- Application reference
- 26F/0005
- Procedure
- written representations
- Development
- Change of use of dwelling to children's residential care home for up to 3 children
- Site context
- inside settlement
- Green Belt
- No
- Framework applied
- December 2024 NPPF (transitional)
- Determinative policies
- s38(6), P5
- Development plan policies
- Liverpool Local Plan 2013-2033 STP2, H7
- Main issues
- safeguarding and community safety; living conditions
Summary
A three-child care home in a West Derby estate was dismissed. Police evidence of child exploitation and concentrated local crime made the location unsafe for vulnerable occupants, and staff activity would disturb the neighbour (DL ¶12, ¶18). The letter is dated 17 Aug 2026 but applies 2024 NPPF ¶¶96 and 135 (DL ¶11).
What made the difference
The site-specific police objection, which management conditions could not overcome (DL ¶7, ¶12). Contrast PINS-6009133, where a one-child home without such evidence was allowed.
Policy findings
Policy codes are those of the National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) unless a development plan is named.
| Policy | Finding | Weight | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| P5 | fail | significant | 2024 NPPF paras 96 and 135 (safe places, fear of crime; map to HC1/P5/DP3) and s17 Crime and Disorder Act; police evidence of child criminal exploitation and local crime makes the location unsafe for vulnerable children (DL 6-12) |
| P3 | harm | significant | staff shifts, visitors and parking next to No 8's lounge window intensify activity (DL 13-18) |
Key facts
- Merseyside Police objection given significant weight despite no objection from Children's Services (DL 7, 9)
- Decision dated 17 Aug 2026 cites 2024 paragraph numbers 96 and 135 without mentioning the new Framework (DL 11)
Sources
This note is one of the decisions behind the NPPF 2026 Navigator, which shows how each Framework test has been applied across all the decisions in the database. Also available as Markdown.