Supported living for three young people at 52 Merrivale Road, Smethwick

What was proposed

The application sought to change a three-bedroom dwelling into supported living for three 16-to-18-year-olds, with one non-resident staff member on site at a time.

“Application reference DC/25/70535 Application address 52 Merrivale Road Smethwick B66 4EJ Application description Proposed change of use from residential dwelling to supported living accommodation for 3 No. young people aged between 16-18 years old with up to 1 No. non-resident staff at any one time. Application received 11 April 2025 Ward Abbey Contact officer Mr Karamrhys Clair karamrhys_clair@sandwell.gov.uk…”

Officer report

The site

The property is a Victorian mid-terrace home in a residential area, served by on-street parking.

“The application property is a three-bed Victorian mid-terrace residential property, located on the southeast side of Merrivale Road, Smethwick. The layout of the terraces is served by on-street parking as per the original layout of the estate. The character of the surrounding area is residential in nature.”

Officer report

Earlier application

The property had no relevant planning history, but a more intensive nearby proposal for two young people and two staff was refused in January 2025.

“The application property does not have any relevant planning history. Nevertheless, it is worth noting a comparison to another similar application on Merrivale Road (DC/24/69808 - Proposed change of use from residential dwelling to children's care home for up to 2 No. young people aged between 7 to 17 years old) which was refused at Planning Committee on 8 th January 2025. This included 2no. staff working on a 24-hour shift pattern.”

Officer report

Officers recommended approval

Officers recommended permission because the use was considered acceptable, compatible with nearby homes and unlikely to harm living conditions, traffic or highway safety.

“That planning permission is granted subject to the following conditions relating to:”

“The proposed change of use would be acceptable in this location and would not harm the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers, with particular regard to traffic movements, noise disturbance and highway safety. The proposal would therefore accord with Policy SAD H4 of The Site Allocations and Delivery Development Plan Document where it seeks to ensure that proposals for specific needs housing are compatible with adjacent uses.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways and noise officers raised no objections, while police concerns about management and security could be addressed through a condition.

“Highways have confirmed that one space is required for each on shift staff member. As one staff would be on each shift at any one time, Highways have no objections given the proposal would not be no worse than the current situation. In addition to this, Highways have commented that any external visitors would also be no worse than that expected of a typical family residential dwelling.”

“The police have noted several concerns regarding layout of the rooms, no security plans and no management plans. In regard to the layout of the rooms, the young persons bedrooms themselves would be considered generous in size and significantly larger than the nationally described space standards of 7.5m 2 for an adult.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant explained the home would support independence without providing care, while objectors raised concerns about management, parking, safety and accommodating three young people.

Members’ discussion

Members sought clarification about staffing and noted concerns about local criminality, but considered operational issues matters for Ofsted rather than planning.

“Clarification was sought by members regarding the operation of the home and the staffing requirements. It was confirmed that, as no care element was provided at the site, then only one member of staff was required. Any further concerns could be addressed by Ofsted during its checks at a later date.”

“Whilst sympathetic to objectors’ concerns, members did not feel that there were any material planning grounds upon which to refuse permission, noting that any concerns around the operation of the home would be a matter for Ofsted.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to conditions covering a management plan, the residential use and permission personal to the applicant.

“Resolved that Planning Application DC/25/70535 - 52 Merrivale Road, Smethwick B66 4EJ (Proposed change of use from residential dwelling to supported living accommodation for 3 No. young people aged between 16-18 years old with up to 1 No. non- resident staff at any one time) is approved, subject to conditions relating to:-”

“(iii) the planning permission shall be personal to the applicant. 59/25 Planning Application…”

Minutes