Dudley hotel to be turned into 'assessment centre' for up to 6 families, despite neighbours' objections
A Black Country hotel is set to be converted into a centre to assess parents' abilities to look after their children, despite objections from neighbours.
Dudley Council has granted permission to convert the Silverdale Hotel in Sedgley Road West, Tipton, into a 'family residential assessment centre', where parents and their children will be provided with short--to-medium-term accommodation while their capabilities are assessed.
Birmingham-based Lavender Sanctuary, the oompany behind the plan, said the centre would be registered with Ofsted and regulated under the Care Standards Act 2000, and would typically host up to six families at any one time.
Two neighbours have lodged objections to the scheme, voicing fears that it could lead to overcrowding.
John Callaghan, who also lived in Sedgley Road West, called for a restriction on the number of people allowed to be in the building at any one time.
"This was a hotel and it had short-term residents who would be out at work or visiting during the day, this proposal would be for 12-16 week stays of residents who would be required to stay and be assessed possibly 24 hours a day," said Mr Callaghan.
"My objection is for once permission has been granted the property has no restriction to overcrowding as the applicant has not proposed a maximum number of residents."
Planning officer Sarah Wilkes said that while the neighbours comments were noted, at full capacity, the house would home up to eight adults and 12 young children, with up to three staff.
"The proposed care home would be managed by qualified care staff and regulated by Ofsted to provide an environment as close to a family home as possible," she said.
"It is therefore not considered that the proposed care home would have any greater impact on neighbours than it being occupied and used as a hotel."
The application said family would have individual bedrooms, all en-suite with shared kitchen and living space.
"The stay will typically be short-term, goal of providing assessment and support, usually 12 weeks which can sometimes be extended to 16 weeks," it said.
"The centre will provide support services, including family welfare assessments, counselling, and access to other relevant services as needed, to ensure the wellbeing and safety of the families residing there.
"While we are committed to supporting parents in maintaining custody of their children, our primary focus is on breaking the cycle of these difficulties to promote lasting, positive change."
The statement added that the centre would seek to meet the Government's agenda of making it easier for people to return to work.
It said staff would be present on a 24-hour basis, providing support, supervision, and assessment.
The property would retain a residential character and would not operate as an institution or secure building, it added.
The scheme was approved by head of planning Carl Mellor.
