RESIDENTS are in 'uproar' after being told a building that was set to be converted into a care home for the elderly will now become one for children with behavioural problems.

A change-of-use planning application to turn a house on Angus Avenue in Leigh into a care home was approved by Wigan Council in February 2016.

Residents were informed in a recent meeting at Leigh Miners Welfare Institute that the house is actually being converted into a care home for children with behavioural problems.

They were told that the alteration to the plans is permitted without seeking fresh planning approval as both types of care homes fall within the same building category, class two.

A petition with more than 80 signatures opposing the plans has been submitted to the council.

Dad-of-four Michael Gore, 35, who lives in Angus Avenue, said: “The whole community is in uproar about this because we thought it was going to be a care home for the elderly like it says on the application.

“I think it will really disrupt the area and that the valuation of my home will now plummet.

“There are concerns there will be an increase in anti-social behaviour and there would have definitely been objections made about the application if we knew this was going to happen.

“My partner and I were planning to move house in two or three years, but I do not think we will be able to do this once the new facility is developed.

“We feel totally powerless and let down by the council in allowing this loophole to be exploited.”

The change of use application was submitted by Jim Burrus, who used to live at the house.

He sold it to the Witherslack Group.

A spokesman for the group denied the claim that it has taken advantage of a loophole.

He said: “There is no planning loophole. The property has class two planning permission, which allows for it to be used as a residential home for people requiring care.

“When we purchased the property the correct permissions where already in place for our intended use of it as a children’s home.

“The property will operate 52 weeks of the year as a home environment for the young people that reside there.

“As with any child under 16 they will attend school five days a week at one of our nearby specialist schools, which are all judged as good or outstanding by Ofsted.”

Marie Bintley, assistant director for growth and housing at the council, said: “In this application it was presented to the council as a change of use to a residential care home for the elderly and was treated on the basis of those representations from the applicant.

“The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 is intended to allow for a range of similar uses to be carried out at a site without the need to re-apply for planning permission.

“As such the property now has permission and it can be used for residential accommodation and care for any age group without the need for a further planning application.”

Cllr Sue Greensmith, representatives from the Witherslack Group and the man who will be the head teacher of the educational facility for children with behavioural problems attended the meeting at Leigh Miners Welfare Institute.