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On the agenda are three children’s homes in St Matthews, Streetly and Paddock. Also to be decided is a nursery for up to 130 kids, and a retrospective application for a home extension, both in Aldridge. Here’s a closer look at each application being considered: Former Simon’s Restaurant, 520 Chester Road, Aldridge Plans to convert the vacant Chinese restaurant were submitted in April this year. Applicant Little Ripley Day Nurseries Ltd hopes to convert the locally listed building into a nursery for up to 130 children. The site originally formed part of the Bourne Farm before being converted into the restaurant until its closure in 2019. A similar previous plan has already been refused by Walsall Council because of concerns around highway safety, and that a proposed outdoor play area would impact the green belt and create disturbance for neighbours. Little Ripley Day Nurseries appealed the refusal to the planning inspectorate, but the appeal was dismissed. In the latest plans, the applicant has argued that the nursery would create significantly less noise, traffic, and late-night disturbance than its existing approved use as a restaurant. To mitigate the highway concerns, it said it would reposition the front gates to avoid roadside queuing and create staggered pick up and drop off times. The latest proposals received an objection for highways over the new pedestrian access on Chester Road. It also received four objections from neighbours and interested parties over concerns about highway safety, including the introduction of a pedestrian crossing on Chester Road, additional pollution and loss of privacy. Walsall Council’s planning officers have recommended that the plans be refused on the grounds of highway and pedestrian safety and lack of Section 106 agreement for the management of biodiversity. 5, Highgate Close, Walsall The first of three children’s homes on Thursday night’s agenda has been recommended for approval with conditions by Walsall Council’s planning officers. Applicant Benedicts Care Solutions Ltd plans to convert the three bedroom house on Highgate Close, Walsall, into a residential care home for up to three children. The proposed home will provide accommodation for children and young people with learning, emotional and behavioural difficulties. The plans have received no objections from statutory consultees, such as the fire service, highways and community protection. But it has received eight objections from neighbours and interested parties, and a petition against the plans has been created and signed by 22 people living on Highgate Close and Highgate Road. The objectors’ comments revolve around safety and security of residents, noise, increase in traffic, crime and antisocial behaviour, house depreciation, loss of a family home, drugs and propoerty inadequate for proposed use. 10, Grove Way, Walsall, B74 2JD Applicant Keys for Life Ltd put forward plans to convert the above family house into a residential institution for up to two children aged between 8-17 and three staff. It was first brought before members at the last planning committee meeting on September 4. It was called in by Steetly ward member, Councillor Sarah Cooper, who objected to the application on the grounds of inadequate parking, would cause demonstrable harm to amenities, plus noise and disturbance. The council received 17 objections, and a petition was launched against the plans which was signed by 131 people. At the meeting, members focused on an objection submitted by West Midlands Police. The force had concerns over the business of the applicant, staff training, qualifications and DBS status, and lack of information on lighting and security. Members chose to defer the application until further information was available from West Midlands Police. Following the meeting, the applicant has provided additional documentation to the force, which has resulted in it withdrawing the objection. Planning officers at Walsall Council have recommended that the plans be approved with conditions. 43 , St Ives Road, Walsall The final children’s home application on Thursday night’s agenda is located in the Park Hall area of Walsall. Applicant Scarlet Care Ltd submitted plans to convert the three bedroom property into a children’s home for up to two kids and three staff. Walsall Council’s planning officers have recommended that the application be approved. But 34 people have signed a petition against the plans with concerns about traffic and highway safety, parking congestions, over development of the site and conflict with local plan policies. No objections were received from statutory consultees, but three were received from neighbours and interested parties for reasons similar to the petition. Planning officers said the application is acceptable when assessed against local and national planning policies, and that the proposed use would have no greater impact on neighbours than a family home would. 15, Station Road, Aldridge, Walsall Middleton Daycare submitted retrospective plans for a single storey extension to the rear, lobby extension and loft conversion to create a first floor room. The application is partly retrospective, meaning some works have been carried out without planning permission. Planning officers state that the plans are inaccurate and fail to reflect the actual work which has taken place. It added that while there are no concerns over the design itself, plans must be accurate for a decision to be made. Officers have recommended that the application be refused. Councillor Pardeep Kaur, portfolio holder for housing support and resident access, called for the decision to be brought before the planning committee on the grounds that the works offer an improvement to the character or the surrounding area and it outweighs any potential harm. All five applications will be decided at the meeting scheduled for 5.30pm, Thursday, October 30.
