Plans to convert three-bedroom on Rowley Regis street into nursery rejected

Plans to turn a three-bed home into a new nursery have been thrown out by a government inspector.

Omar Kazimi had planned to turn the detached three-bed house in Bell End, Rowley Regis, into a new nursery for up to ten children but the application was rejected by Sandwell Council.

Mr Kazimi appealed to the government’s planning inspectorate in a bid to get the decision overturned but has been rejected.

The planning inspector said a proposed two-storey extension would result in a “bulky, cramped” building and result in more noise and disturbance for neighbours.

The inspector’s report said: “The design would result in a bulky, cramped building, sitting tight in its plot, which due to the narrow set back does not appear subservient to the host property, thereby undermining its original character

“The introduction of the day nursery would result in a change in the type of noise generated at the site. Noise from increased vehicle movements and conversations of children and parents/carers at drop-off and pick-up times would be generated as well as daytime noise from young children, including their use of external play areas.

“The nursery would intensify the use of the rear garden and whilst there may be schools and other childcare uses within residential areas generally, in the specific case before me, the neighbouring properties are particularly close.”

The plans showed a ground floor conservatory and patio would have been removed and the three-bed house extended to make way for a new nursery activity room and toilets. The first floor would have been turned into a three-bed self-contained flat.

Rejecting the application earlier this year, Sandwell Council’s planners said the extensions would be “harmful” and disruptive for neighbours and proposed parking was “inadequate.”

A report by the local authority’s planners outlining the decision added: “The proposed nursery use is not compatible with the residential nature of the immediate vicinity and is likely to cause unacceptable levels of noise and disturbance to neighbouring residential properties, both by children playing in the rear garden area and by increased comings and goings related to pick up and drop off times.”