Plans to turn a farmhouse into a care home for vulnerable children have received the support of villagers, despite some claiming it would be “detrimental to the area”.

The change of use application for the property in Old Chapel Road in Crockenhill has been submitted to Sevenoaks District Council by Ceon Haven Limited.

The design and access statement states the proposal “ensures that the dwellinghouse is utilised and provides a positive benefit to the local community”.

It adds: “With eight bedrooms and ten bathrooms, it exceeds the requirements of a typical family home, making it suitable for conversion into a children’s care home.”

The property is a two-storey house with a large private rear garden and a front driveway that accommodates up to five cars.

It is accessible via J3 of the M25 and J1 of the M20, at the Swanley Interchange.

If approved, it would accommodate a maximum of five children between the ages of 10 and 17 who are facing abuse, neglect, or family emergencies.

It adds: “The purpose of the care home is to provide a safe, nurturing and therapeutic environment where children can heal, grow and thrive.”

The children would receive 24-hour personal care, with staff on rota to sleep on the premises.

No staff would have their permanent residence at the care home, and, where possible, workers will be recruited locally.

At full capacity, there would be up to five carers and one manager working at any given time.

If planning permission is granted, the staff team will be “adequately trained to meet the needs of the service related to working with children with special needs, regulated by Ofsted”.

The plans do not involve any internal or external alterations to the building.

The site is within three miles of twenty-six primary schools, ten secondary schools, and nine 16-18 year old education facilities.

Of those 36 primary and secondary schools, six are dedicated special schools which cater for children with either special needs or who are living in supported accommodation.

If required, the children would be driven to and from school by staff under supervision if they have complex needs and require supervision.

At the end of last year, plans were submitted to turn the building into a 10-bedroom house.

However, this application was withdrawn after some concerns were raised.

This time around, Cllr Rachel Waterton, who represented the area on both the district and parish council, organised an informal meeting with the potential care home managers on Friday (May 2) where neighbours and villagers were invited to ask questions.

She said: “I was moved by the level of care and concern expressed by neighbours and villagers who attended the informal meeting

“It was clear they wanted to understand and support this venture.

“They have a strong interest in achieving the very best for the children who might live in the village under the care of Ceon Haven.

“Several neighbours from the surrounding properties, and other residents attended to raise their queries to help prepare an informed written response to the planning application for change of use before the deadline on May 10.”

However, several people who say on the planning portal they live local have have objected to the latest application.

One said: “We do not have the infrastructure to support this in the village as well. It may be detrimental to the area.”

Another added: “The property lacks a footpath or safe walking route.

“It is adjacent to a busy public house, which is not ideal for children sensitive to noise.

“Additionally, the property has many bedrooms on different levels, accessed by narrow stairs and corridors, posing a risk in an emergency evacuation.”

However, one neighbour says it would be an “ideal use of the property” – but raised concerns about potential “incorrect details” in the planning application.

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They explained: “There is no existing parking for five cars as the retrospective planning application for the new driveway was refused and remedial works have not yet taken place.

“Approved additional parking would need to be an essential part of the planning to ensure no on-road parking is required.

“The lack of pavements on this section of road already presents a hazard to pedestrians.”

Crockenhill Parish Council is welcoming views from people living in the area to the proposals.

The consultation period ends on Saturday (May 10).