Changing from C3 to C2

[Change4321]

We've had a letter from our district council to say that our neighbour has applied for their home to change from a C3 dwelling to a C2 Residential Institution.

We live on a new build estate, original homes have been here for 7 years with new phases still going up.

The house in question is detached and is owned by a couple who live in another house fairly locally. The house (4 bed detached) was up for rent for about a week then the sign went down.

I've looked at what a C2 Residential Institution is and it seems odd for anything that falls into that category to be within this house.

Does anyone have any knowledge of this and can suggest what it may mean please?

It’s a care home, or residential care.

a four bedroom detached can generate a six figure sum per year

It’s likely to be a home for one or two children who need care.

Your Council’s planning pages will have more information on, the letter should have a reference number you can use to search

I've checked the council planning and the only thing of any more on there is the mention of 4 members of staff.

Can someone let a house out as a care home, even for 1 or 2 people, and make loads more money than if it was rented out in the standard way?!

yes they can, but only if they get planning permission for it. The purpose of the application is for the Council to consider the impacts on the surrounding area

Thank you.

It's more likley to be for a residential home for children in care. This doesn't require nearly as much redesign or modification as if it were for elderly care. Houses are expensive to convert for that.

We have a large extended bungalow on a housing estate near us. There are a small number of adults with severe disabilities that live there with 24 hour care. I don’t know whether it’s a rented property or whether the council bought it. Never see anyone go in or come out but there is a small car/van parked outside which can take wheelchairs.

@Change4321 I think I live on the same estate as you and the very same couple have done the same with one of their other houses. I’m uneasy about it. How is it going for you?

Our next door but 1 neighbour did this before we moved and there is another house on the same road further down, they are both connected to the care home down the road. The care home down the road is part of a huge group, it has 2 sides, one side is an elderly residential care home and the other is a specialist dementia nursing home. They also take disabled people with very complex needs who are unable to live independently and offer respite care for those with complex needs.

Both houses they bought were for sale around the same time and were 4 bed detached houses with double garages, they have converted the house roof and the garage and garage loft so they are now a 6 bedroom property with an office, staff break room and store in what was the garage. Both are care homes for young adults with complex needs. The one next door but 1 to us has lots of young adults with autism who are unable to live independently the eldest there is 27 (I know because he told me it was his birthday and he was 27). The one further down the road has young adults with much more significant care needs as well as other diagnoses (oxygen, tube feeding, special supported chairs).

Both homes are absolutely fine, the residents have little educational projects to do, they do a little food bank fundraiser every year ), they often go in a boat on the canal which is only 6 houses up. The residents and carers are always out and about, they get on the bus to town (bus stop 2 houses up from the care home and across the road), go to the park (10 minute walk away), go swimming, always playing in the garden (they have a trampoline, swings, bubbles and a few toys and are always out when my dd has her bubbles out. We've never had any problems. The residents are used to us and some a more chatty mythan others. The staff are lovely and I often have a word with them as we often pass them when out and about ourselves. There are 5 permanent residents at each home and 1 respite space at each home. Although since COVID the respite space isn't used any more. It's a shame as pre covid the respite space was fully booked. Then the staff. Staff are always on site and sleep in.

Thank you for your reply! I don’t begrudge vulnerable children having a safe space but it’s only natural to wonder if there could be any negative consequences. A few neighbours are feeling the same way. It sounds like children’s homes can work out nicely though from the sound of it.

Is it going to be a care home or a children's home? I think the 2 are very different in terms of neighbour impact. The 2 I am talking about near me are very much residential care homes for young people with complex needs. Due to their needs they are unable to leave the home without carers as they have little sense of danger. They have little impact on our street. A children's home might be different as there might be more comings and goings. I'm not sure how children's homes work in regards to other young people (friends) visiting or hanging around the home.