A proposal to convert a home in an Olton street into a residential children’s home has been given the go-ahead despite neighbours’ concerns. Applicant Shayne Flaherty submitted plans for the home in Westbourne Road in July.
As the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported last month, it emerged the applicant was not the owner of the property and had signed the wrong ownership declaration on the application form saying he was. The error was originally reported by a resident to Solihull Council planning officers, and a decision on the application was delayed while it was sorted.
At the latest meeting of the authority’s planning committee the application for the “small scale residential children’s home” was considered again. Images included with the application show the plans for a staff office, lounge and kitchen on the ground floor; three children’s rooms and two staff bedrooms on the first floor and a games room on the second floor.
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In the public speaking section a joint statement from Westbourne Road neighbours was read out which mentioned car parking concerns. “A children’s care home has more complex and significantly different parking demands to a standard residential home,” they said.
Mr Moss, speaking in favour, said there was a “critical need” for this type of facility in Solihull borough. “This proposal helps address the significant local need,” he told the committee.
“The character and nature of this property will not change and it will operate in a manner similar to any large family home.” Jon Hallam, a council planning officer, reminded the committee the application was recommended for approval adding: “The proposal will see a house occupied by three children and up to three adults, two of which will stay over.
“To me – yes children may come from homeless backgrounds – but I cannot see how that is going to be materially different to how the house could be used as occupied by a single large family.” Bob Grinsell, the chairman of the committee, said: “It does concern me if we grant this change of use to a care facility that it is in perpetuity at that property.
“We know it is currently a five-year lease. Things change”. The officer replied: “You can say the same about any planning permission we grant to someone who owns the property. There is nothing to stop them selling.”
Committee members voted unanimously to grant permission subject to conditions. The meeting was held at the Civic Suite on January 8.