PLANS to turn a house into a residential home for children with learning disabilities have been refused.

Shropshire Council’s southern planning committee unanimously agreed the property in Temeside, Ludlow, was not suitable due to the lack of parking.

Councillors said carers would either add to existing parking problems on the road, or have to risk their safety by walking to the nearest car park late at night.

The plans for 41 Clifton Villas were lodged earlier this year by newly formed care company Grey Davies Care.

They proposed housing up to four children with learning disabilities and autism at the home, supported by up to four staff at a time.

But planning officers recommended the scheme be refused on the grounds that there was only room for two cars on the driveway.

Ludlow Town Council had objected to the plans along with eight members of the public.

Councillor Viv Parry, who lives on the same street as the house, said the road was on a bus route, near several large businesses, and is heavily used throughout the day.

One of the applicants, Ms Graham, said staff would be offered discounted parking permits for the nearest public car park, a seven-minute walk away.

She said: “We won’t have regular deliveries, we will function as a normal family home.

“The children we will be looking after will be children with learning disabilities, they’re not going to be children that will do criminal damage and will riot around Ludlow.”

The committee voted to refuse the plans on the grounds of highways safety and the safety of staff.