Chislehurst Children’s Home Ruling Sparks Local Concerns and Objections
Despite local objections, a ruling allows a children’s home in Chislehurst to proceed
Chislehurst, Bromley, Children’s Home, Cannabis Factory, Bithoms Support Services
Bromley: So, there’s been a lot of chatter in Chislehurst about a children’s home that’s set to open, despite some serious pushback from locals. The place on Clarendon Way has seen better days, and folks are worried it might not be safe for kids.
Neighbors say the house has been a bit of a mess and even turned into a cannabis factory at one point. Can you believe that? They’re concerned about the speeding cars on the road too, thinking it could be a dangerous spot for children.
Hillary Gray, who’s lived nearby for over two decades, shared that the house used to be rented by a mother and her child. But then it turned into a drug den, and the police had to step in. She’s not too keen on the idea of a children’s home there.
The council had a proposal from Bithoms Support Services to turn the place into a care home for three kids aged 8 to 16. But the locals weren’t having it, with 84 objections filed. They felt it just didn’t fit the neighborhood.
Even after the council said no, Bithoms appealed the decision. Residents voiced their concerns again, especially since another home run by Bithoms didn’t get a great rating from Ofsted. They’re worried about the kids’ safety and the home’s past.
Surprisingly, a planning inspector gave the green light last month, saying it would help meet the need for children’s homes in the area. He argued that having three kids there wouldn’t be much different from a regular family living in the house.
One local mentioned that the house used to be a family home but fell into disrepair. They even called the police after smelling cannabis coming from it. It’s a bit wild, right?
After the police raid, the electricity had to be cut off for safety reasons. Apparently, someone had messed with the wiring to power the cannabis grow lights. Yikes!
The locals are still worried about the home’s future, especially since the same owner has had it since 2016. They’re hoping things don’t go downhill again.
Rakesh Chibbei, another resident, echoed these concerns. He’s worried about the speeding cars and how safe it would be for kids. It’s a residential area, and he feels the council hasn’t done enough to address the speeding issue.
The building’s owner, Bithoms, and the local council haven’t commented yet. It’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out.