Plans to convert a house in Ipswich's Bramford Lane into a children’s home have been rejected by the borough council.

A proposal was submitted to Ipswich Borough Council in June, which suggested converting the house into a home large enough for three children.

The house, which has previously been used as a house of multiple occupation (HMO), currently has six bedrooms.

The applicant had proposed that two rooms on the first floor could be occupied by children, as well as a third bedroom on the second floor.

Another room on the first floor would be used as a study room, while a room on the ground floor previously used as a bedroom would be used as an office.

The final bedroom, on the second floor, was marked as a “staff room”.

There were no plans for changes to be made to the exterior of the house, other than adding two additional parking spaces to be used by carers, bringing the total number of parking spaces to three.

However, the borough council's planners have rejected this proposal from the applicant.

In a notice explaining its decision, the council took issue with the applicant having referred to the home as class C3. This category refers to up to six people living together in a single household.

Instead, the council judged the house to fit class C4, which refers to houses of multiple occupation.  

The council said: “The submitted information […] shows an office, study and staff room.

“No details have been provided as to staff/care arrangements or even the number of children to be accommodated.

“The changes in character would be noticeable given the proximity of the property to other dwellings and would amount to a material change of use even if the property reverts to a class C3 dwellinghouse.”