Homeless hostel plans pulled
A controversial proposal to convert a failed Walsall care home into a hostel was pulled just before planners were due to make a decision on it.
Walsall Council’s planning committee was set to discuss the application for the former Orchard Manor home in Slaney Road on Thursday.
But committee chairman Mike Bird announced the plan – which could have seen the home turned into a hostel for homeless and people with substance abuse or mental health issues – had been withdrawn by the applicants.
The proposal had sparked a storm of protest from residents worried about the impact the hostel would have on the community.
Several residents and interested parties had attended the meeting unaware the plan had been pulled but left after Councillor Bird’s announcement.
After the meeting, committee vice-chairman Mohammed Nazir said he too had only found out the application had been withdrawn when he arrived for the meeting.
He also said he did not know why the applicants had opted to withdraw it but added it was their right to do so.
Had it been given permission – as planners had recommended – the hostel would have been run by Midshire Supported Housing Trust.
It would have provided 43 beds offering long and short term support for people with a range of issues including homelessness, substance misuse, mental health issues and those estranged from their families.
But objectors including neighbouring residents and Walsall MP Valerie Vaz raised serious concerns about the proposals such as a fear in a rise in crime and anti-social behaviour in the cul-de-sac.
Two petitions with a total of 85 signatures from residents against the plan have been handed in to the council.
