A PLANNING application has been submitted to convert a house in Romsey into a children's home.

Hayter House, in Hayter Gardens, was most recently operating as an adults day centre and a registry office, but has been sitting vacant.

It is owned by Hampshire County Council and the application has been sent by Peter Colenutt.

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On the planning statement, it explains that there is a need for self-contained accommodation to support children who require care and attention that their parent or guardian is not able to provide. The proposal is that the home would accommodate three children and associated staff.

On the statement, it said: “The new children’s home will be a regulated provision (inspected by Ofsted) for up to three young people aged 15-17 years who have significant mental health difficulties (diagnosed or not) whose behaviour makes placing alongside others very challenging.

“They require a skilled staff team to provide them with intensive therapeutic input in a managed environment until such time as they have stabilised and are able to share accommodation with other young people, return home or move onto more independent living.”

The building was originally part of Romsey Union Workhouse, an institution that was first founded in the late 18th century. Hayter House was constructed in 1870 and was used as the infirmary for the workhouse.

No public comments in support or objecting to the plans have been submitted to Test Valley Borough Council.

To view the application online, search for 22/01483/HCC3S on the council's planning portal.

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