A controversial application that will see a home in a residential street transformed into a children's home has been given the go-ahead by a council, despite objections from neighbours.

Area Camden Group, which oversees privately-run children's homes, sought planning permission from West Suffolk Council to use 9 Tasman Road in Haverhill as its newest site.

The plans, which were given the go-ahead by the local authority's Development and Control Committee on Wednesday, will see a maximum of four children aged between 10 and 17 live at the home for "a few months to a few years" based on their individual living circumstances.

Two employees will be present at the property at all times, with visitors welcome to come during the day by appointment.

The house currently has six bedrooms, two of which form part of an annexe.

On September 6, West Suffolk Council's Development and Control Committee members resolved that they were 'minded to refuse' the application due to the lack of outdoor space at the property and impacts on road safety over parking. 

However, a risk assessment report carried out by council officers after the meeting said the garden is acceptable in size and nature for the use as a home for four children and the parking spaces planned for the site would be adequate.

Haverhill Town Council had objected to the proposal based on lack of parking provisions for visitors, support workers and deliveries, as well as issues with the size of the garden.

More than 30 objections from neighbours were also submitted to West Suffolk Council including concerns over parking, noise, disruption, anti-social behaviour and traffic.

Plans were approved on Wednesday and the applicant now has three years to begin work on the project.