Change of Use from a Dwellinghouse to a Children’s Care Home

The client approached Planning By Design to obtain planning permission to change the use of an existing dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) into a children’s residential care home (Use Class C2), providing accommodation for up to three children with 24-hour staff support.

The proposal provides accommodation for up to three children, supported by care staff on a 24-hour basis. It makes use of the existing building without extensions or external alterations, retaining its residential appearance and character.

Our team prepared architectural drawings, a Planning, Design and Access Statement, and a Transport Statement to support the application. The planning case addressed the suitability of the property, neighbouring amenity, staffing arrangements, parking and the anticipated impact on the highway network. Supporting management information explained how the home would operate and safeguard its residents.

The local planning authority granted planning permission.

Drawings & Planning Documents

ruqaya robins

November 1, 2026

Mark Read of Planning By Design has been amazing from the word go. We are at the first stages of having an extension built at the side of our house and Mark has explained the procedure in full detail. At first I was confused by several aspects of the process but every question, no matter how minor, has been attended to so far. I have full confidence that Planning By Design has been the right choice to make to satisfy all the requirements related to planning appraisal, building regulations, and structural engineering calculations. The company has already provided positive advice on the feasibility of the project for which I am grateful.

Ian Carter

October 24, 2026

recommends

I would highly recommend planning by design, They provided excellent support throughout the planning process and helped me get planning permission approved for my home gym business, Trackside Training. The planning process can feel daunting, especially when you're trying to get a project like this off the ground, but their knowledge, advice and guidance made a real difference. They helped me navigate the process and get to the outcome I was hoping for. I'm really pleased with the service I received and grateful for all their help in turning my plans into reality. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for professional, reliable planning advice. I will also be using them again in the near future for my home extension, thanks again!

Andy Chan

September 23, 2026

I approached this architectural firm after previous owner’s planning application for a dropped kerb on a classified road had been refused. Knowing the complexity of the planning process and the challenges involved, I wanted an experienced professional to assess the situation properly and prepare a strong application. From the outset, they provided a thorough planning appraisal and feasibility report, clearly explaining the planning constraints, relevant policies, and the likelihood of success. Their knowledge of highway and planning requirements was evident throughout, and they were able to identify key issues that had contributed to the previous refusal. The report was detailed, well-researched, and professionally presented, giving both me confidence that the proposal had been carefully considered. Communication was excellent throughout the process. I would highly recommend their services to anyone requiring planning.

Lucy Locket

September 10, 2026

Planning By Design are a brilliant team – I can’t praise them highly enough, both personally and for their meticulous, skilful work. I had no idea how wonderful they’d really be. I’d expected them to reproduce more or less what I’d sent (a sketch of a small piece of land, some photos, and my problem) and just put it into the necessary jargon. Boy oh boy, I couldn’t have been more wrong: it was like Mozart turning ‘Twinkle, twinkle, little star’ into a symphony. Planning By Design produced an awesome planning application that explained to the Council my problem in an excellent way, what laws support me in it, together with architectural maps and drawings. (I’m in an AONB, and didn’t want to risk possible objections & repercussions further down the line. Neighbours advised me just to go ahead without mentioning it to the Council because they’d almost certainly say no, but I’d have been living in a ticking timebomb!) Planning By Design have now sent me the Council’s thumbs up to go ahead. I’m on cloud nine. They’re a fantastic team – so professional, as well as patient and good-humoured, and know just what to do and how to do it. I’ll recommend them to anyone wanting to carry out works to their property with a peaceful mind rather than just hoping for the best!!!

Amy Ralph

August 21, 2026

This is our first big home project and we had no clue where to start, or of the process. PBD helped us from the beginning to do the neccessary checks that what we wanted to do was possible, did our drawings and plans for us, and even did the application to the council which went on to get accepted first time. The whole process was made to feel 'smooth' and took all stress away from us, knowing that all steps were being undertaken in the right way which was what ultimately led to our application getting accepted so quickly as they did everything to the correct requirements of our council. We would not hesitate to recommend on to others, and if we were to do any further projects we will be sure to use again. Thank you to all involved.

Change of Use from a Dwellinghouse to a Children’s Care Home

Drawings & Planning Documents

Diane R. Barto