Neighbours oppose plans for supported living home

Neighbours have objected to plans to covert a house into a 19-bed supported living facility.

The application, submitted by Smiley Homes, seeks to transform Dayspring House on Hester Street, Northampton, into accommodation for up to 24 people.

However, local residents argue the proposal is an overdevelopment that would put further strain on the area.

"These streets were built for family homes, not as dumping grounds to make money off," said Hilary Scott, who lives next to the site.

"It would add more than 20 people to an area that already can't cope."

The agent for Smiley Homes, Archi-tec Architectural Design, said there was "a need for support living units" and more details would be added to the application.

Plans sent to West Northamptonshire Council show the three-storey building would include a communal kitchen and living space on the ground floor, with 19 en suite bedrooms spread across the upper floors.

An additional staff room, toilet, and office are also proposed.

There would be a small parking area to the rear, but residents argue this would reduce already-limited street parking.

Resident Paul McIntosh told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "The street's as full as it goes."

A previous application by Smiley Homes to convert the property into 10 flats was rejected in September last year for failing to provide acceptable living conditions.

Some objections claim the latest application may be an attempt to establish an house in multiple occupancy HMO "under false pretences," which the developer denies.

Both Northampton Town Council and Northamptonshire Police have submitted objections, and consultees have raised concerns about the lack of a planning statement explaining the need for supported living in the area.

Public comments on the application close on 13 February, and ward councillors have called for the plans to be debated at a future committee meeting.

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.