Cemetery building to be care home

Proposals to convert a 1930s' cemetery building in the Black Country into a care home have been approved.

Walsall-based Pharus Care Ltd has been granted permission to take over and extend Cemetery Lodge, Wednesbury.

The scheme involves providing 24-hour care for seven adults with learning disabilities. A similar scheme was suggested in Pelsall last year. The community there had been divided about the care home plans with hundreds of residents signing petitions both for and against the plan.

Those opposing the scheme had feared that the property in Wolverhampton Road would house ex-offenders and drug addicts but the plans were to use it for young people with autism.

Opposition was eventually withdrawn once the purpose of the home was explained.

An open consultation was held at Wednesbury Library to inform residents of the plans.

The 1930s property in Beebee Road was previously a lodge, residence and office for the nearby cemetery but was sold off as a private house 10 years ago.

Plans include a two storey extension to add another extra four bedrooms to the home, as well as extra space to provide parking for seven vehicles.

Bosses say it could create up to 20 new jobs.

Pharus Care operations director Matthew Harrison said the aim of the scheme was to develop care for adults in the area with learning disabilities to allow them to live more independent and fulfilled lives.

"These people won't be going to day centres or getting picked up in the ambulance and taken anywhere every day and the only visitors other than friends and relatives will be a social worker every six months," he said.

"There is enough car parking within the plans for staff to park so it won't affect the road it is on.

"We would expect it to employ around 20 people and, in addition, there will be the possibility of jobs for local people."