Planning appeal decision
22 Diana Road, Bootle, L20 6EB
Planning appeal 3353196 at 22 Diana Road, Bootle, L20 6EB (Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council) was dismissed on 22 April 2025 by Inspector Whalley J, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the change of use from a dwellinghouse (C3) to a children's home (C2) would constitute a material change of use.
Change of use from dwellinghouse (C3) to children's home (C2) for a maximum of 3 children aged 12-16 years with 24-hour care provided by care workers on a shift basis
- Authority
- Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
- Appeal type
- ldc · Lawful Development Certificate
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- community-institutional · Change of use
- Inspector
- Whalley J
- Postcode
- L20 6EB
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the change of use from a dwellinghouse (C3) to a children's home (C2) would constitute a material change of use
What decided it
The intensive use of the small house with inadequate accommodation for 3 children and overnight staff, combined with the regular arrivals and departures of multiple care workers and managers, would result in a material change of use from C3 to C2.
What the Inspector cited
- Judgments
- R v Thanet DC ex parte Tapp & Another [2001] EWCA Civ 559
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
With an account
What an account adds to this decision


More decisions in Sefton
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
- Allowed29 October 20266012707144 Park Lane, Netherton, L30 1RW
- Dismissed23 September 20266008723Land to the Rear of Abbey Gardens, Southport Road, Lydiate, L31 4EQ
- Dismissed9 September 2026600902664 Thornton Road, Bootle, L20 5AR
- Dismissed7 September 2026601075814 Blundell Drive, Birkdale, PR8 4RG
- Dismissed7 September 202660083599 Green Lane, Formby, L37 7DJ
The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.
®