The woman at the centre of a campaign to convert an Andover thatched cottage into a supported living home has said she has “every hope” that the plans will be approved.

Maddison Taylor has applied to convert her family home, Creepers Cottage, into accommodation for those with special needs. However, the plans were rejected by Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) on the grounds that residents would make “disconcerting noises” and ‘throw items over neighbouring fences’ which would disturb neighbours.

Since then, a petition has been set up by the public to have the decision overturned, while Maddison is intending to appeal the decision.

“I’ve been completely overwhelmed by the amount of support,” she said. “I didn’t expect as many people to show their support, but there are now over 500 signatures on the petition.
I’m still really excited, and have a lot of hope for the plans, as I think it would be ideal here.”

Maddison has many years experience as a carer, having worked for Andover and District Mencap and other organisations. She says that she found out she enjoyed caring after spending some time exploring a variety of different career options.
“I found that I just love to help and care,” she said. “It brightens my day and makes me feel better for helping. I just want to help as many people as possible”.

After having worked for Mencap, Maddison is now at university, where she is studying for a social work qualification, as well as volunteering to befriend the elderly and support people who go missing upon their return.

While working, she began considering the possibility of setting up a new supported living home in Andover, with her father offering her the family home to use. She says this may have been as a result of her family’s history of caring roles.

“My grandad was a social worker so he [Maddison’s father] has the caring bone in his body,” she said. “Mum has also done care work, particularly visiting the homes of those with dementia and additional needs.”

She subsequently applied to TVBC in February to convert Creepers Cottage into a supported living home, and though issues of parking and transport were raised, she managed to address them. However, concerns over “harmful noise” by environmental health officers saw the plans refused.

Campaigners criticised the decision, and accused the council of “pure discrimination” over some of the language used by officers. While Maddison would not comment on the discrimination claims, she said that they should be looked at further.

“The final report didn’t reflect accurately on the case and feedback,” she said. “The ‘harmful noise’ decision isn’t a fair reason to reject these proposals. It shouldn’t carry the refusal, it could be a factor but not a refusal in its own right.”

She added that she would like planners to have visited the property to see it for themselves, especially following the council's statement it was in a “built-up area”.

“The trees provide natural soundproofing and are really calming,” she said. “They should visit and see it’s quite secluded and near other building but not in built-up area.

“I really did give them every option to help them understand I able to soundproof the rooms and garden, as well as providing staff 24/7. It’s not because the residents will be a nuisance but because I want to alleviate concern.

"I’m very solution-focused, and for them to brush my solutions aside is really saddening.”

TVBC has previously defended its decision, saying that it looked at a broad range of factors in the case, and “believed that this was not the right location” for a home.

Maddison is now considering whether to resubmit or appeal the decision to the planning inspectorate, and has received support from across the community.

“I’ve had everyone from legal people to sensory room fitters and young people with additional needs getting in touch to offer their support,” she said. “I have a background in law through my social work training, and I have contacted my lecturers and fulltime social workers to build support”.

At the moment, a case is being put together, with an examination of the council’s policies and the provisions of legislation like the Equality Act.

“It definitely needs to be dug deeper into,” Maddison said. “There’s definitely a fine line between different policies but it’s difficult to gage. I know where the law stands on discrimination but not on planning, so I’m going to keep digging.”

She said she is prepared to fight the plans for many years, with the 23-year-old saying she has “years on her side”.

“If I couldn’t use this, I would go somewhere else and go through planning there, but I’m still very confident it will get permission. 

“I have years on my side and will continue to fight. I’ve got my business and will take elsewhere if I have to, but I won’t give up easily.”

“I think it’s still possible,” she added. “I hope it’s still possible.”

If you would like to sign a petition set up for Maddison’s case, visit: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-discrimination-against-those-with-disabilities-and-learning-difficulties-1