Crunch time for Aldridge retirement homes facing demolition

The Hawthorns in Erdington Road, Aldridge, was granted planning permission on the basis of being a 70-bedroom care home – but officers from Walsall Council say this is not the case. It is claimed the building has instead been transformed into rented flats, according to a report to go before the council's planning committee on Thursday.

Members are being encouraged by planning officers to issue an enforcement notice.

If agreed, owners Avery Healthcare will have one month to demolish the 'unlawful building' and restore the land to its previous condition, or face prosecution.

The building was previously discussed at a meeting in September, but officers decided to delay so they could continue talks with Avery Healthcare.

The council's head of planning and building control, David Elsworthy, said: "Planning permission was granted for a C2 care home and not for 70 individual self-contained flats. The distinction is important in planning terms.

"Avery Healthcare have sought to establish that the use of the property falls within use class C2 and is not being used for an alternative purpose. Officers remain of the view that the property is not being used in accordance with the description of the approved scheme."

Officers will meet with representatives from Avery Healthcare on Monday for a final discussion ahead of Thursday's meeting – as the owners seek to prove they are using the building correctly.

It had been planned that a notice would be served on April 18. Mr Elsworthy said: "Officers have held back from the serving of the enforcement notice until the outcome of the meeting. An update will be provided to members at the meeting.

"At the time of the preparation of this report, officers remain of the view that the recommendation to enforce remains."

A planning application was lodged in 2012 to demolish the former Baytree House Care Home and build a new three-storey care home in its place.

A spokesman from Avery Healthcare said: "The Hawthorns is registered with the Care Quality Commission for residential care. It complies with all requirements for such a service, and highly qualified staff provide care and support 24 hours a day.

"The Hawthorns is working with the council to address any confusion it may have regarding this service for which it has the required planning permission, and looks forward to continuing its positive contribution to the community in the area."