PLANS to create a parent assessment centre - which will judge the parenting ability of someone over a 12-week period - in the town centre have been submitted to the council.

The unit on Victoria Road is currently used as a commercial office.

But plans were submitted last week to turn it into a residential unit which will be run by White’s Healthcare.

A report states: “Our proposed use of the building calls for only superficial changes to the property.

“To meet our regulatory requirements under Ofsted a change of use is required to change the current use of the property from commercial to a ‘C2 residential institute’.

“Access to the site is via Victoria Road and as the proposed use is residential, a reduction in traffic to the site would be expected.”

The unit will be used as a parent assessment centre, where parents will live for 12 weeks and be the subject of a review by staff who work there.

They will then decide whether or not they are able to look after their children at home, or if they’ll be placed into care.

The report added: “The nature of the business conducted at the property will be a parent assessment centre.

“This involves local authorities or courts placing parents with child or children with us for a short term residential placement of 12 weeks in order to assess their parenting ability.

“The assessment is then used to determine by the courts or the placing local authority, what is in the best interests of the child or children with regards to their future care, either stay with parents or failing that alternative arrangements such as kinship care or foster care.”

Six members of staff will be on the site full-time, with CCTV cameras in every room to ensure observations are made.

“The centre is a professional assessment centre, and staff do not provide personal care on-site.

“However, there will be parenting classes and specialised training for parents.

“All parents and their children, including visitors, will be closely monitored using staff observations and CCTV in all areas of the property, including the grounds.

“Six staff will attend the property during the day and two at night.

“Visits will be periodically, and these will consist of solicitors or social workers completing their assessments.

“The property’s parking area has ample spaces and a limited flow of people or traffic, with no disturbance to the area.”

A total of 61 neighbouring properties have been made aware of the plans with no appeals to date.

Public consultation ends on October 18.