Netherton care home can build 'incongruous' 18-room extension after winning appeal
A Netherton care home has won an appeal against a Dudley Council decision to block an 18-room extension.
Ashgrove Care Home on Dudley Wood Road was denied permission for the development in April 2025 after the council concluded the work would create an ‘incongruous addition’ to the existing building.
The unsuccessful application was the second attempt by the home for extra bedrooms; a previous application was turned down in 2024.
After a site visit, an inspector from the government Planning Inspectorate overturned the council’s decision.
The inspector concluded: “The proposed development would not harm the character and appearance of the area or host building.
“The proposed development would be visible from a number of viewpoints that surround the appeal site.
“However, most views would be glimpses, particularly from Dudley Wood Road and the public footpath that runs between Spring Meadow Road and Dudley Road.
“These views would generally be for short periods from pedestrians and road users, through the change in land levels and generally well vegetated area which assists in restricting views from the surrounding area.”
The inspector also dismissed council concerns about overlooking, after finding views from windows in the new building would be directed away from private gardens.
A statement from legal firm Knights in support of the appeal said: “It is also important to acknowledge the identified local demand for additional residential care home provision in the local area; the appellant has a waiting list for places at Coppice Residential Care Home and Netherton Green Nursing Home (which is located half a mile to the northeast) has recently reduced its capacity from 120 beds to 30 beds.
“Both of these factors prompted the NHS trust (who are keen to refer more people to this home) to issue a letter of support which accompanied the planning application.”
