Children’s care home at 11 Hydes Road, Wednesbury

What was proposed

The application sought to change a two-bedroom house into a care home for up to two children aged 5 to 19, without extensions or external alterations.

“DC/26/71478 Application Description Change of use from a single dwelling-house (Use Class C3) to a children’s residential care home for children aged 5 to 19 years (Use Class C2) Application Received 20.02.2026 Application Address 11 Hydes Road Wednesbury WS10 9SX Report Author…”

“The Application Site 5.1 The application property is a two-bedroom terraced property located on the northern side of Hydes Road, Great Barr within a residential area, site surrounding is predominantly residential in nature characterised by a variety of house types. Planning History There is no planning history for this application site.”

Officer report

The site

The property is a terraced house in a mainly residential area, with no off-road parking but on-street parking and a nearby public car park.

“As the property is terraced in nature there is no provision for off-road parking. However, on-street parking is available within the surrounding residential streets. In addition, a public car park is located within a short walking distance of the property which can be used by staff or visitors if required.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the use compatible with the residential area and found no significant harm to living conditions, traffic, noise or highway safety.

“National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 9.1 The NPPF sets out government's planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. Highway safety 9.2 The framework promotes sustainable transport options for development proposal and states that developments should only be prevented or refused on highway grounds if there would be an unacceptable impact on highway safety, or the residual cumulative impacts on the road network would be severe.”

“I have noted concerns that the proposed development would be an inappropriate use and out of character with the residential area. However, the proposed use falls into a residential use in the Use Classes Order 1987 (as amended). It does not fall into a commercial, business or service use. As such, the proposed use would be compatible with a residential area and this location.”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Highways and noise officers raised no objections subject to measures, while police supported the proposal and recommended CCTV, lighting and security.

“The Head of Highways has no objections following the receipt of additional information. Staff will be encouraged to use sustainable modes of transport wherever possible as the property is located within an established residential area with access to local amenities and public transport. Furthermore, staff will be encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport, and secure cycle storage can be provided at the property.”

“They recommend that a plan is provided to include CCTV, lighting and security if permission is granted.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant said the proposal would be professionally managed with staffing and safeguarding, while an objector raised concerns about management, noise and shared access.

Members’ discussion

The applicant said traffic would match a standard household, and highways officers said parking was sufficient and the road network would not be severely affected.

“Following questions from members, it was clarified by the applicant that the traffic to and from the property would be no different from a standard household. Furthermore, Officers from Highways confirmed that sufficient parking was available at the property and that the highway network would not be severely impacted.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The voting councillors agreed to defer the application so they could visit the site.

“Members thought that a site visit would be useful to better understand the application and, as such, were in agreement to defer the application in order to undertake a site visit.”

“Resolved that Planning Application DC/26/71478 - 11 Hydes Road, Wednesbury WS10 9SX (Change of use from a single dwelling-house (Use Class C3) to a children’s residential care home for children aged 5 to 19 years (Use Class C2)) is deferred for a site visit.”

Minutes