Plans for two neighbouring children's homes in Dudley rejected following scores of objections

The plans to convert two neighbouring detached houses in New Rowley Road, Dudley, into care homes for children with 'complex special needs' have been refused planning permission after attracting almost 100 objections, including three ward councillors and West Midlands Police. 

The plans had been submitted by New Pathways Support Services, which had previously sought to turn an entire row of four new detached houses into care homes for children.

They proposed that three young people, aged from eight to 25, would live in each of the houses, along with support staff.

A third application, by a separate operator, for another care home in nearby Oakham Avenue, has also been declined by Dudley Council.

West Midlands Police voiced concerns that both applications in New Rowley Road would lead to an increase in demands on its service, and expressed concern about the security arrangements and lack of staff office space in the houses.

The force also warned that having two care homes next to one another would represent an excessive concentration of this type of property in a residential area.

Councillor Shaukat Ali presented a 79-signature petition to the authority, said the scheme represented 'overdevelopment and incompatibility with the residential character of the area'.

He added: "The proposed development does not align with the established character of the neighbourhood, which is comprised of highly sought-after residential family homes. 

"Converting these properties to care homes introduces a use that is wholly out of keeping with the area’s family-oriented environment."

Councillor Ali also voiced concerns about the effect the development would have on community cohesion and safety.

"The introduction of care homes catering to young people with complex behavioural needs raises legitimate concerns about the potential impact on community cohesion. 

"Residents fear that the development could lead to increased incidents of anti-social behaviour and crime, which could affect the sense of safety and harmony in the neighbourhood."

Councillor Ali said the development would also exacerbate existing problems with traffic in the neighbourhood, and was also likely to lead to an increase in noise in the neighbourhood.

"The potential for disturbances arising from the behaviour of the residents, as well as from staff and visitors, has not been adequately addressed in the application," said Councillor Ali.

"The proposed development would result in the loss of desirable detached family homes, which are in high demand in the area."

Emily Giles of Indigo Architects, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said there was no evidence that the development would lead to a rise in anti-social behaviour.

"The purpose of this type of care home is to provide a normal as possible living environment for the occupants," she said..

"Considering this, it is the applicants view that the property is suitable and the development is appropriate and compatible with adjacent uses.

Head of planning,. Carl Mellor, rejected the plans, saying the area already had a high concentration of existing care homes. He voiced concerns about having two care homes next to one another, saying that together they would represent a 'commercial and institutionalised development that is out of character with the surrounding street scene', which was wholly made up of family homes.

He added:: "The proposed use, as a result of its nature would place unreasonable demands and costs on local social and police services and would have an unacceptable effect on the local community and community cohesion through a realistic fear of crime."