PLANS for a new residential children’s home in Rhyl have been withdrawn by the applicant.

The proposals, concerning a change of use at The Promenade, 38 Marine Drive, were lodged to Denbighshire County Council’s planning committee by Harbour Children’s Services last November.

Having bought the property, the company planned to convert it into a children’s home, but withdrew its application on Friday (June 21).

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Applicant Andrew Worsley, of Harbour Children’s Services, wrote in the initial application that the property is “very well decorated” and “ideally configured for the accommodation of up to four children”.

He added: “There is an urgent need for regulated children’s services in Wales, and the proposed change of use for 38 Marine Drive will be a very useful addition to the local community.

“The property has been used as a residential family dwelling, but is currently vacant following the purchase by our company.”

Harbour Children’s Services had proposed to employ four full-time and eight part-time members of staff.

Cambrian Planning, acting on behalf of Harbour Children’s Services, submitted a covering letter in which it wrote that there is a “huge need for this type of accommodation”.

But the plans received some objections, including from Louise McCabe-Allen, director of Beach House Childcare.

Ms McCabe-Allen, who runs Beach House Day Nursery next door, at 37 Marine Drive, objected to the proposals “‘based on the children at the nursery and particularly when using the garden”.

Frank Owen, of Burns Drive, Rhyl also opposed the plans, writing: “This building is surrounded by people in bungalows that are all in their senior years, like me.

“It is a quiet area. The building is also on a main road, and a service road at the rear. There is not really any outside area to this property.

“I am not sure of the age that these children would, be but for younger children, access at the back is down steep concrete steps, (which is) not ideal.”

Harbour Children’s Services also runs Tŷ Mesen, a children’s care home in Rhyl, on Boughton Avenue.

Linda Roberts, of Harbour Children’s Services, said: "We would like to open a second children’s home in Rhyl, but the indication we had after submitting the application was that Denbighshire Council had some doubts on the need for and the location of the facility. 

"We have therefore withdrawn the application at this time and intend to connect with Denbighshire Council in the not-too-distant future to see if we can collaborate to meet any of their needs for a local children’s home."