Kindhearted foster carers to extend Hartlepool farmhouse so they can take in even more children

Hartlepool Borough Council Planning Committee unanimously approved plans for an extension of a property at Fernbeck off Dalton Back Lane.

The plans from Joy Odgers were for a single-storey extension to the front and first floor extension to the side of the property, which is home to an established livery business.

However she and her husband also foster children and said the extension would allow for greater fostering capacity.

Mrs Odgers said to the committee they decided to foster several years ago as the livery business was thriving and they had spare time to help those in need.

She added there is currently an ‘overwhelming’ need for short and long term fostering placements for young people, including sibling groups, which they could help meet with the extension.

She said: “Our home is part of our now established livery business housing up to 18 horses and ponies, which we have built up from two farmers’ fields over the last 14 years.

“Our home, which was built 8 years ago in 2012, has three bedrooms which ourselves and two siblings who we have fostered long term for the past six years occupy.

“We feel we have time, patience and life skills to offer more to the fostering department in the authority but due to lack of bedroom space we are currently limited to only being able to offer day care and assisted travel, having to decline placements due to lack of bedroom space.

“In conclusion we feel our livery business compliments our fostering commitment and has a favourable impact on the council by keeping young people within our local service.”

However council planning officers had recommended the proposals for refusal ahead of the meeting, stating in a report the applicant had failed to show there is a need for five bedrooms at the site, and that it would not be in proportion with the existing area.

However councillors unanimously approved the plans, and said the benefits of the fostering support outweighed the reasons to refuse, and praised the plans and the work of the couple.

Coun Jim Lindridge said: “There is a far greater need for this to be approved on the basis of the assistance it gives to the town and children’s services, in general capacity there is a need for foster carers.”

Coun Brenda Loynes congratulated Mrs Odgers and her partner for the ‘fantastic’ work they do.

She said: “I think we should support this application, we definitely need more people like Mr and Mrs Odgers in the town.”

Councillors praised the work of the couple, adding their fostering ‘is a service to the town and young people’.

Coun Paddy Brown said: “I think this is a great opportunity for a much needed service for our town and I think it would be sad to lose this opportunity.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you