Permission has been granted to turn a house in Stevenage into a children's care home for young people "who have not had good parenting in their early years".

The four-bedroom house in Symonds Green will accommodate up to four children aged seven to 16, run by Brighter Stays Supported Living.

A statement accompanying the application for change of use submitted to Stevenage Borough Council explains: "Brighter Stays works with both Bedford Borough Council, Oxfordshire and Central Bedfordshire child services, who are in need of such a facility to alleviate pressure on their requirement to place children in the local area."

It continues: "The proposed children’s home seeks to replicate as closely as possible a normal family environment.

"This type of provision, which government policy is promoting, is to help children who often, through no fault of their own, have not had good parenting in their early years.

"At any one time, there will be no more than four staff on the premises.

"Shift times will be 8am to 8pm, and all required care for the children, including cleaning and cooking, will be carried out by staff. This model closely follows a normal family household arrangement."