AN OLD vicarage could be used to care for vulnerable children and young people as the need for support services intensifies, according to owners.

St Peters Vicarage in Bradford Street, which is currently the head office for Farnworth-based foster care service provider CFS Care Ltd, could now become supported living accommodation for up to six young people.

The building is currently vacant as staff have worked from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning it has not been needed as office space for months.

If the change of use is given the go ahead, the building will be occupied by six vulnerable young people and one live-in member of staff offering 24-hour on-site support, according to the application prepared by Tom Webster Planning.

It said: “Presently, the pressure on local authorities’ ability to support vulnerable young people has intensified.

“There has been an increase in the number of young people who are of leaving care age needing somewhere to live which offers them support whilst enabling them to learn how to live independently.

“With 24-hour on-site support, these young adults will become more independent and have the space to develop into informed and ambitious young people.

“CFS Care Ltd also provide additional specialist support, if required.”

The company recently held a meeting with residents online but Kearsley councillor Paul Heslop, who represents the area the vicarage is located in, said people came away feeling that their concerns had not been addressed.

He said: “I very much welcome that young people who are leaving care are afforded opportunities to achieve their individual ambitions, including their educational and vocational aspirations.

“The majority of the residents at the proposed development would come from household situations where it is the actions of others that has led them to being in care, rather than the behaviour of these young people themselves.

“There are, however, a minority of young people who may be cause for concern in the community, not only for their behaviour, but also their susceptibility due to negative peer influence – in nearby areas.

“There is the perception amongst many residents of Farnworth that the town is bearing more than its fair share of the challenges associated with children in care, or leaving care, and there is a commonly held belief that much of this is ‘exported’ to Farnworth rather than being an innate Farnworth issue.”

Cllr Heslop promised to engage with as many residents as possible to ensure their opinions are heard and that this application receives full consideration.

He will ask for the application to be determined by the planning committee.