Childminding provides a valuable service for families and is normally carried out in a person’s own home and is a small operation involving only a few children and no additional staff. This policy explains the circumstances where planning permission will be required for a part change of use from mainstream residential to childminding use. It also sets out the standards the Council will apply when dealing with applications. This policy should be read in conjunction with policy RES 7: Change of Use of Dwellings.

NO PLANNING PERMISSION IS REQUIRED WHERE ALL OF THE UNDERNOTED CIRCUMSTANCES APPLY

Where the childminder:

(i) will not employ an assistant;

(ii) will not work on a co-operative basis with another childminder; and

(iii) will not look after more than the following number of children, including the childminder’s own children:

PLANNING PERMISSION IS REQUIRED WHERE ANY OF THE UNDERNOTED CIRCUMSTANCES APPLY 

(i) where the childminder will employ an assistant to care for children in his/her own home;

(ii) where childminders will work together on a co-operative basis (other than where there are only two childminders and one of these is registered to care for the children in an emergency only); and

(iii) in a flat, where a childminder will look after more than four children under the age of eight, including the childminder’s own children.

If a planning application is required, it will be judged against the following criteria:

1. LOCATION

Account will be taken of the cumulative effect of these uses, including other non-mainstream residential uses (see Definition), on the character, appearance and amenity of residential areas.

2. EXTERNAL PLAY SPACE

There should be access to a reasonable area of safe external play space within the curtilage of the property. Alternatively, the safe play space should be within reasonable walking distance of young children (approximately 50 - 100 metres) and not involve crossing any major roads. The play space should be enclosed by a good quality wall or fence.

3. DESIGN

Except where it is required to provide access to a basement property, permission will not be granted for the erection of any external staircases.

There must be good natural daylight in all the rooms used by the children.

Conditions may be added to any planning permission to control:

(i) the number and ages of the children;

(ii) the hours of operation; and

(iii) noise levels.

NON-MAINSTREAM RESIDENTIAL USE

Any use, other than a mainstream dwelling, including multiple occupancies, institutions and offices that is made of a property whose original purpose was as a dwelling unit for families or individuals.