County Council set to approve new children’s home in Sleaford to meet demand

The proposed development, set to be located at Bone Mill Farm, on Bonemill Lane, off East Road on the outskirts of town, is expected to provide a secure environment for 28 children.

It is expected to help meet the national and local demand for additional spaces for children’s criminal justice and welfare placements, as well as replacing the existing 12-bed secure children’s unit in Sleaford.

The current unit is in a built up residential area with issues of shortage of parking space and proximity to residential neighbours.

Coun Patricia Bradwell, executive member for children’s services, said: “The new home will provide a much-improved environment for the young people living and educated there and help to meet the increased national demand for spaces. It will make sure these children are offered the required support, training and guidance in modern facilities.

“The site for the new home needed to be of a certain size due to the increase in the capacity. There were limited options in the area, and the site selected was considered the most appropriate due to access, availability and size. Funding has been successfully secured from the Department of Education for initial works to prepare the site for construction, which will be subject to planning permission. We expect a further grant to be confirmed later this year that will fund the construction of the buildings, which is expected to take around two years.

"There are currently no plans for the future of the existing secure unit, also located in Sleaford, as this will be considered at a later date.”

The plans, submitted by Lincolnshire County Council and represented by JEH Planning Ltd, include a one and two-storey secure children’s home with associated support accommodation.

The facilities will encompass administration facilities, kitchen and dining spaces, education and teaching spaces, sports facilities, and external secure courtyard areas.

The proposed development is not just a children’s home but a comprehensive facility that includes a sports hall and a health hub.

The development will also feature a new service road, a car park, a surface water attenuation pond, landscaped areas, renewable energy provision, and a battery store.

The officer’s report, which recommends approval of the plans, states: “The proposed development constitutes a sustainable form of development in a sustainable location within the town of Sleaford.

“The development has been designed to a high standard, seeks to minimise energy usage and proposes on‐site renewable energy to meet its own needs.”

The new facility will prioritise children from Lincolnshire, but it will also serve as a national resource within England.

The development is reportedly designed to a high standard, aiming to minimise energy usage and meet its own energy needs through on-site renewable energy.

It includes solar panels and other renewable energy sources to meet its own needs, contributing to its goal of achieving net-zero emissions.

The retention of existing mature trees along the eastern site boundary, coupled with an on-site landscaping scheme, will ensure a biodiversity net gain of at least 10 per cent.

The final decision will be made by the council’s planning and regulation committee next Monday.