Concern over Stourbridge care home plans

Developers want to build the residential complex on the site of the former War Memorial Club, in Amblecote.

But the site would neighbour the War Memorial Athletic Ground - home to Stourbridge FC and the town's cricket club.

Previous plans for a children's home on the site were withdrawn around a year ago as the developers won approval for four four-bed luxury homes.

However, Bains Builders Ltd have returned to planning officers in a bid to secure permission for two two-storey buildings with eight en-suite bedroom homes for children aged from six to 16.

And Dudley Council planners have recommended the scheme is awarded planning permission when it is discussed at a meeting on Monday.

See also: Care homes planned for former club site.

There has been strong opposition to the scheme with Stourbridge FC chairman Andy Pountney among those to voice concerns over the scheme.

In a letter to Dudley Council's planning department, Mr Pountney said he was 'disappointed' that the application had come back to the council.

He claimed floodlights from the ground would affect the site and added: "Also our main entrance block of turnstiles and exit from the ground is right next to the building, so when some 500 people may be leaving the ground at 10pm I do not believe it would be a good idea to have a children's home next to it."

Stourbridge Cricket Club chairman Harilal Jivan-Patel, in a letter, said the club was concerned that the young people would be 'tempted' to use the ground without permission.

"We have concerns over possible vandalism, damage to our facility and the safety of those young people if there is inadequate supervision," he wrote.

All three ward councillors have co-signed a letter with their objections saying the road outside the proposed development is busy and would be unsafe for young children.

In a planning document by agents Integrated Designs & Associates Limited on behalf of Bains Builders Ltd, officials said: "The proposal represents a significant investment in the premises and the wider community.

"The proposed development would support the provision of additional special needs accommodation within the borough that would help in the creation of an inclusive community in accordance with national and local planning policy.

"The proposed care home would be small in scale not being any more intensive than if the building was occupied by a family, the dwelling is located within an accessible location close to services and facilities and the building would provide suitable accommodation for both the residents and care workers, and would not harm the character of the area."