South Tyneside Council approves plans for new residential care home for children
“Care and support for children to enable them to develop and grow, whilst having the opportunity to live a normal family life”
Plans have been approved for a new residential care development in South Tyneside supporting children and young people.
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R5 Care Ltd has won permission to create a “safe and secure environment” for up to two children aged between seven and 17 at a property in Durham Grove in Jarrow.
An application submitted earlier this year said the development would provide specialist care and accommodation for children with emotional or behavioural difficulties and other issues, with support workers present 24/7.
The development, which will be named Beardsley House and regulated by Ofsted, aims to provide “care and support for children to enable them to develop and grow, whilst having the opportunity to live a normal family life”.
The development is part of a wider drive to provide high standards of care and accommodation for local children in care and to return South Tyneside children to their local area, who are currently placed out-of-area.
It was noted that children would learn key life skills by contributing to weekly shops, cooking, cleaning and budgeting and the children’s home will also support children to make positive contributions to the local community.
There was one public objection to the plan during a consultation asking questions about management, local demand for placements, staffing and arrangements to manage complaints from neighbours.
Council planners said many issues raised were not planning matters and noted the local authority had identified a “strategic priority to increase the availability and diversity of local provision to support children and young people.”
South Tyneside Council’s planning department approved the application on October 23, 2026.
Although council planners acknowledged there would be a planning change of use of the property, they said it “would remain operating as a house providing a home for two children, with staff assisting in providing them with a space and a secure environment”.
They also concluded that the proposal would not result in increased antisocial behaviour and would not impact the character of the area, the amenity of neighbouring residents, or highway safety.
A council decision report goes on: “The site currently benefits from off-street parking for four vehicles and there are no parking restrictions along Durham Grove.
“The council’s transport development officer was consulted on the application and have confirmed they have no objection to the proposals.”
For more information, visit the council’s planning portal website and search for reference 260518.
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