Extension gets go-ahead

Planners have given the go-ahead for an extension and alterations to a residential home for young people with learning disabilities in Kidderminster despite objections from a next door neighbour.

The large Victorian property in Birmingham Road needs alterations and extensions to help bring it up to modern standards.

But neighbour Mr Andrew Stringer claimed the size of the proposed extension would be "out-of-scale with other properties" and that it would be so close to his wall that he would be unable to carry out any repairs on his property.

He said he would suffer from a loss of daylight and that the extensions would double the size of the building.

But members of Wyre Forest District Council's planning and development control committee said that there were no planning grounds on which they could refuse the application. Councillor Chris Nicholls praised the application and the attempts to "improve the quality of life for those were in the building".

Liberal councillor Fran Oborski said: "There are several other homes in the area including Abbeyfield House and the Shrubbery Nursing Home. We have to recognise that people have to rigorously apply government rules about the upgrading of homes to appropriate standards. Lots of people have to go into other people's gardens with their agreement to carry out maintenance on their property."

Committee members were told by officials that the building was not listed as worthy of historical or architectural merit and gave the go-ahead for an increase in the size of the property to improve bedrooms and en-suite facilities as well as the laundry and dining area.