Rejected Wolverhampton children’s home could still go ahead
A move to convert a bungalow into a children’s home could still go ahead despite a council saying it is not needed.
Ashlee Homes Supported Living had submitted a planning application to convert the bungalow into a residential home for up to three children but the move was rejected by Wolverhampton Council which said there was no demand for that type of accommodation in the city.
The applicant Ashlee Homes Supported Living has appealed the decision to the Government’s planning inspectorate which has the power to overrule the local authority.
Wolverhampton Council said there was no demand for private housing to be used to help the city’s looked after children – and much of the private homes were being used as accommodation for children from outside of the borough.
The council said it was also opening two children’s homes itself that would meet demand. Converting the bungalow would result in the loss of a family home, the council added.
Rejecting the application earlier this year, the council’s planners said: “The key issue in this case is the effect of the proposal on the overall supply of housing in Wolverhampton.
“The property is a good quality recently constructed two storey detached dwelling house on a prominent corner in an established area close to local amenities and schools and not far from Bantock Park.
“The council’s children’s services do not currently have a need for any more private homes. There are over 30 private homes already in the city, most of these have children from other local authorities, not Wolverhampton young people.
“Also, the council’s children’s services are opening two local authority homes in the city. There is enough childcare provision within Wolverhampton to meet the city’s demand.
“As such, the change of use to a small children’s care home would reduce the supply of family housing within the area and therefore would not maintain the existing residential population which would be typically associated with a dwellinghouse within the city.”
