Permission sought to convert Prestwich home into 'family assessment centre'

Designed to provide a safe environment for parents to bond with their baby and/or children whilst being supported by trained staff, family assessment centres mainly cater for parents who have had difficulties in caring for their children.

The large, two-storey semi-detached house is located on the north side of Prestwich Park Road South and although it is not listed it is in a conservation area.

The proposed use would comprise meeting rooms, communal interaction space, a kitchen, five family rooms, and an ancillary office.

Alterations are proposed to the front of the house to provide for additional parking with three spaces provided for staff and one for visitors.

According to the application: "There will be a maximum of six staff on the premises at any one time during the day on weekdays.

"Three staff will be present during the day on weekends, and two at night. Working shifts are from

8.30am to 9pm and so there would be very little coming and going during the day or at peak traffic

times.

"Visits to the property by health staff or otherwise would usually be one per day and these

would be by prior appointment to avoid visits clashing.

"Deliveries to the property would only be two or three per week. Residents of family centres are not permitted to travel toor from the premises in their own vehicles."

In terms of potential usage, according to the design and access statement, "80 per cent of occupancy is generally single mums with one new born baby. In exceptional cases there is another very young child and rarer still is a two parent family with children."