A NEW “residential therapeutic school” for up to nine children who have suffered abuse could be created in the south Shropshire hills close to Church Stretton.
Plans have been submitted to Shropshire Council, to covert the former Willowfield Guest House, Lower Wood, All Stretton, into a care home.
The home would be for a maximum of nine children aged 11-16 who have “suffered abuse on many levels”, according to the planning application.
The applicant’s report to planning officers continues: “The rural location of the property provides a stress free and healthy environment which is important for the therapeutic support that will be provide to vulnerable children from troubled backgrounds. The homely character of the property and its restful rural surroundings would play an important part in the treatment of the children.
Locals have been told that Amberleigh Residential Therapeutic Schools would be running the home, but no one from the organisation was prepared to comment as the Journal went to press.
The Shropshire Council planning file lists the applicants as Christine Smith and Karen Bayliss.
Their application continues: “The applicants are experienced in the care of children. They have successfully owned and managed a similar home situated in Powys for the last five years. The children will be referred to the home by social services when the situation in their own home environment is untenable, and their well being at risk. The children will come from anywhere in the country and will generally return to their home town when they leave.”
Willowfield has six letting bedrooms and accommodation for its current owners. To create the new care home, nine bedrooms would be made for the children.
The children would be cared for 24 hours a day, with one member of staff looking after two children during the day, and two staff members supervising the home at night.
The children would continue to be educated during their time at Willowfields, with a teacher on site running classes in the week.
Local people have until July 30 to make their views on the plans known to Shropshire Council. Follow the planning link from www.shropshire.gov.uk
