Plans to convert 100-year-old Smethwick Conservative club into children’s home approved

The planning application to Sandwell Council asked for permission to convert the club, which has stood in Smethwick High Street for more than 100 years, into a residential home for up to six children.

West Midlands Police raised concerns about the plan saying it was located in a ‘high crime’ area and the application had not included any management or security plans.

The force’s design out crime officer said: “The management and security plans are essential as police spend a lot of time dealing with missing children and if they are not local and have vulnerable issues – such as this application – this makes the children even more vulnerable as they are in an area they do not know.”

A statement included with the application said: “Empire House Children’s Home is seeking the necessary approval to care for six vulnerable children at the aforementioned address.

“The premises has been previously used as a members social club with members visiting the club from as early as 11am to 12pm 7 days a week.

“The site is a detached building which stands alone at the end of a residential cul-de-sac surrounded by a beautiful wrap-around secluded garden ensuring safety and privacy for its residents.

“The site also boasts four private parking spaces, with another 14 spaces in a public car park immediately facing the premises.”

Despite approving the plans in principle, the council’s highways department said public car parks and on-street spaces should not be included in the plans as the children’s home would have no control over them.

The planning application by Empire House Children’s Home said the building was in a poor state and could become an eyesore and hotspot for anti-social behaviour.

“Given the previous use of the premises, we believe the proposed use would be completely within keeping with the location and an improvement on its previous use,” the statement continued.

“We propose reduced car traffic, foot traffic and turn over volume of people entering and exiting the building.

“The new proposed use will bring the building back to a residential use. We believe that bringing the use of the building back to a residential bracket will be beneficial to both the street and its residents.

“Furthermore, the building is in a poor state requiring refurbishment immediately. Should the building not be permitted to be utilised, it would fall prey to becoming derelict, run down, an eye sore and a hotspot for anti-social behaviour, fires and criminality.”