AN application to use a property for respite care for 16 to 25 year olds has been declined by the council.

A new application for a certificate of lawfulness to use 29 Cavan Drive, Haydock was resubmitted by applicant Sibby Chonzi.

Plans stated: "DLS has a two-year lease on the property" and it would offer respite care for care leavers. They add, if successful, it is "likely that the lease will be renewed".

They added the "intended use will be kept as similar as possible to a normal residential dwelling" and should offer "significantly less disruption" than an ongoing 24/7 facility.

However, the application sparked several objection letters from residents.

One wrote: "It's a quiet calm street with no problems and I don't really want anything to become a problem.

"As a result of this homeowners are considering moving, it's not nice to think people want to move".

The resident added they "find it hard to believe that a house on a residential street in Haydock is deemed as a necessity".

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St Helens Council has ruled it would not be lawful under planning rules for the property to be used for respite care for care leavers.

In a report, planning officer Julie Hine said: "To issue a certificate of lawfulness there needs to be clarity in what the operation of the household will be in terms of level of live in or visiting care and/or support, number of support workers, day to day activity in terms of school/college and arrangements outside of school/college or work".

A decision notice from St Helens Council said: "The Statement of Purpose provides insufficient information with regard to the comings and goings and general levels of activity associated with use of the dwelling as respite accommodation for two young people".