Neighbours in petition over residential low secure mental health facility

Former care home Meadow House, in Stroud Avenue, could become a residential low secure mental health facility.

But the application to Walsall Council has met with concern from local residents, who claim it is in an inappropriate location. Ian Shires, councillor for Willenhall North, said he was seeking more information on what the scheme involves. He has pledged to "call in" the application.

This means it will have to be discussed by the full planning committee.

The former care home would be renovated and a new gym added along with a new entrance and ambulance space, under plans by St Mary and St Michael Medical Company, based in Penn, Wolverhampton.

Nine new jobs – six full-time and three part-time – would be created if the development is given the go ahead.

But residents around Stroud Avenue claim it is the wrong location and too close to schools. Mother-of-three Stephanie Whitehouse has now launched a petition against the plans.

The 29-year-old of Churchill Road, Bentley, said: "This is not the right place as its so close to schools and lots of families.

"We are going to start a petition and will be getting as many names as possible against this."

A resident of nearby Dursley Close, who did not wish to be named, said: "We thought the site was going to be used for residential housing.

"I don't think something like this should be put in a residential area where there are lots of children. We need more information too about who would be living there."

The applicant was not available for comment.