Controversial plans to turn a house into a children’s home look set to be approved.

Shalamar Children Ltd have been seeking permission from Braintree Council to use 41 Colchester Road in White Colne to care for up to four children.

Braintree Council planning officers had rejected an initial application to set the home up but now look set to approve a change of use to the property from dwelling house to residential home.

A report, due to go before the council’s planning committee, said: “The development would not alter the character of the house, would provide sufficient amenity space and means of enclosure and provide a suitable level of parking provision.

“Neighbouring amenity has also been determined not to be detrimentally affected by the proposal.”

The change of use would pave the way for Shalamar Children to set the home up.

Braintree Council had received 24 separate letters of objections from residents who were against the charity’s application.

White Colne Parish Council raised no objections on planning grounds, however it also echoed some of the concerns voiced by residents.

In a letter to Braintree Council it stated: “The parish council note the concern of residents expressed in significant numbers at the recent parish council meeting and would want the district council to take these into consideration.

“We are concerned with privacy, noise, external lighting and lack of fencing, and would not want this type of use to be expanded into the next door property.”

Shalamer Children specialises in housing troubled children and offers a therapeutic style of care to help them develop.

A final decision on the application will be made by Braintree Council’s planning committee on Tuesday