Three applications for new children’s homes thrown out by Walsall Council

Members refused applications for homes at 5 Highgate Close in Walsall, 10 Grove Way in Streetly, and 43 St Ives Road in Park Hall.

Walsall Council’s planning officers had recommended that each application, for two to three children, should be approved with conditions.

But while members at the meeting on October 30 said they were in support of children’s homes, they raised concerns about traffic, highways and parking at each location.

Objectors of the Highgate Close application raised concerns there were too many similar facilities in the area as well as issues with parking and fears of anti-social behaviour.

Gelander Brookes, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the family home would provide a ‘safe, caring and nurturing’ environment for the children.

Councillor Aftab Nawaz proposed that the plans be refused on the grounds of lack of car parking, character of the area and perceived concentration of commercialisation in the locality.

When the vote was taken, six members supported the proposal and six opposed it, leaving chairman Councillor Mike Bird – who was against the plans – to cast the deciding vote.

Councillor Mark Statham warned that he could ‘almost guarantee’ the refusal would be overturned by the planning inspector.

For the Grove Way application, objectors raised concerns about highways, issues with parking and a nearby public right of way.

Altina Elias, speaking on behalf of the applicant Keys for Life Ltd, said the proposed use would have no greater impact on the neighbourhood than the existing use, and that there is no evidence that it would lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour.

It is the second time the plans came before planning committee members after a previous deferral in September.

Members had concerns about an objection from West Midlands Police ahead of the September meeting, which has since been revoked.

Proposing a refusal which was backed by members, Councillor Suky Samra said: “I’m satisfied from what I heard that we’re intensifying the use of this dwelling.

“I think there is a detriment to highway safety if this application were approved. I think the objectors have demonstrated that there would be harm to their amenities that they enjoy.”

Alison Sargent, a lawyer for Walsall Council, said objectors’ evidence is highly unlikely to stand up in the event of an appeal.

The final children’s home, on St Ives Road, was also refused over issues of highways, with Councillor Bird saying he’d ‘never seen a worse location’ for a children’s home.

Councillor Gurmeet Sohal, ward member for Paddock, was speaking against the plans and said highway safety on the street is at ‘breaking point’ already.

Lovemore Goromonzi, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the use is comparable, ‘if not lighter’, than a typical household with two children and two adults.

Councillor Bird said: “I’ve never seen a worse location where this could be proposed.

“Commercialising this particular property in the hammerhead, which is already oversubscribed with cars, which is the access to the park, over a fire hydrant, I can’t really think of anything other than to say - this is ill conceived.”

Councillor Nick Gandham moved that the application be refused on the grounds of inadequate parking and access and highway safety, and was supported by members.