28 residential apartments at Jubilee Gardens Care Centre Wyegate Close Smiths Wood, Solihull

What was proposed

The application proposed converting a residential care home into 28 apartments, with access from two existing points and 34 vehicle parking spaces.

“Proposal: Change of use from residential care home (Use Class C2) to 28 residential apartments (Use Class C3)”

“Conversion of the existing Care Home to form 28 no. residential apartments, over two storeys, providing 14 no. one-bedroom apartments; 12 no. two- bedroom apartments; and 2 three-bedroom apartments.”

Officer report

Highways and living conditions

Officers considered parking, access, neighbour relationships and future residents’ conditions acceptable, with highway and other safeguards secured through conditions.

“Vehicular and pedestrian access will be from Wyegate Close and Tamar Drive via existing access points. Refuse and emergency vehicles would have accessed, egressed and manoeuvred within the Site when it was used as a residential nursing home.”

“The applicant proposes 30 cycle parking spaces which are located to the eastern extent of the car park accessed from Wyegate Close and it is unclear how cycle parking will be accessed from the main buildings. The Highway Authority recommend that cycle parking is relocated so it has a better spatial relationship with the building and this can be secured by means of condition.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The parish council and consultees raised no objections overall, with some asking for conditions and a sports contribution of £58,759.

“Smiths Wood Parish Council – No observations.”

“SMBC Public Health Leisure and Physical Activity – No objection subject to a contribution of £58,759 towards sports provision.”

Officer report

What residents said

Objections concerned disturbance, privacy, parking, road safety, pressure on services, loss of elderly care, management and the site’s suitability.

“Increased noise, activity, pollution and disturbance. • Concerns about anti-social behaviour. • Overlooking and loss of privacy.”

“Development could negatively affect property values. • Lack of community engagement. • Loss of specialist elderly care provision. • Concerns over occupation and management. • Unsuitable location.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A statement opposing the application was read on behalf of an objector, a councillor spoke against it and an individual spoke in support.

The committee decision

The committee gave conditional approval in line with the officer recommendation, subject to completing a Section 106 agreement.

“PL/2025/01443/PPFL - JUBILEE GARDENS CARE CENTRE Conditional approval, as per the Officer recommendation, and subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement.”

Minutes