Parking concerns dismissed as Brownhills children’s home approved
A detached, three-bedroom home in Brownhills now has permission to become a children’s home for three kids aged eight to 18.
The plans for 53 Great Charles Street were recommended for approval by Walsall Council’s planning officers.
But it was brought before the planning committee on July 17 after the plans sparked opposition from 13 residents and a petition was lodged against it with 16 signatures.
The objectors had concerns about the traffic and parking, noise disturbance and loss of privacy.
Two speakers were in attendance at the meeting, one was Great Charles Street resident Mr Jones.
He said: “Car engines will be run and revved, headlights will dazzle, car doors will be slammed, our driveway will be blocked, chattering voices will be raised, curious noses will be poked and disrespect imposed.”
Another neighbour, Ms Campbell, said the traffic issues already facing residents would be exacerbated if the proposal was approved, describing the street as a ‘fatality waiting to happen’.
There was also an objection from West Midlands Police due to insufficient information about staff qualifications, site management and ‘nature of the business’ of the applicant, Zazh Management Company Ltd.
But planning officers said the force’s objections were not material planning conditions and the proposal was policy compliant, recommending it for approval.
No alterations were proposed to the building internally or externally, only the removal of the hedge boundary facing onto Great Charles Street.
Those objecting stated that the four parking spaces at the front of the property would be insufficient for the two members of staff on site, four at shift changeover, as well as other visitors required for a care home.
Some members at the planning committee were supportive of the objectors, agreeing that the proposal would exacerbate the parking issues already facing residents.
But members were brought to a standstill as many who wanted to refuse the application for this reason understood that if doing so it could likely be appealed by the planning inspector.
A recent review into the planning committee found that when the committee refuses planning applications by going against officers’ recommendations, at appeal 88 per cent are upheld.
It shows that if planning officers recommend approval, any efforts made by the committee to refuse it doesn’t carry much weight.
On appeal, inspectors use the same policies the officers did, so the outcome is often the same.
Councillor Vera Waters moved that the decision be deferred until further information was made available from West Midlands Police, but it was not seconded.
Councillor Bobby Bains moved, ‘with a heavy heart’, to go with the officers’ recommendation and approve the plans, of which the committee voted in favour.
