Three-bedroom house in Willenhall to be turned into supported living accommodation

Walsall Council’s planning committee approved the plans to convert 72 Ashmore Lake Road into three flats for those with physical or learning difficulties.

Now approved, the applicant Country Barn Estates will demolish the side garage and outbuildings and build a single story extension at the side and rear.

The application had been met with a petition against the plans with more than 80 signatures, and 17 individual objections from neighbours and interested parties.

Objectors said the proposals had insufficient parking, would impact on neighbours’ privacy, and lead to an increase in crime.

But at the planning committee meeting on July 17, there were no speakers against the plans in attendance.

No objections were received by the statutory consultees and planning officers said the plans were policy compliant, recommending it for approval.

Several councillors raised concerns about the lack of parking, including councillor for Short Heath, Councillor Joshua Whitehouse.

He said: “I don’t buy the argument that there’s enough parking. It is stated there would be two members of staff for around 14 hours a day. Two members of staff, maybe one, two or three visitors, it’s well over the capacity for the parking spaces.”

Councillor Bobby Bains moved that the development be approved, and the committee voted in favour.