Halesowen care home demolished for replacement

Plans were given the go-ahead for a 66-bedroom care complex on the site of the former Shenstone Care Home in Kent Road, Halesowen, in July.

The care home was closed by Dudley Council in 2012 as it was not fit for purpose.

However, residents are concerned about the new build due to the impact of the construction phase, noise, loss of trees and in particular the lack of parking.

Richard Joberns, a Kent Road resident, said: "I am in agreement to the application usage and type of building but my concerns are sorely to the regard of the parking situation.

"The impact on local residents will be that of nuisance parking throughout the day and possible increased risk of danger when assessing their driveways or road due to limited visibility and excessive parking, which is already an issue at times due to Leasowes High School."

Five letters of objection were lodged with the council against the plans.

When the scheme was first announced earlier this year, Robyn Webster, spokesman for Black Country Housing Group, said Dudley Council was committed to increasing the care provision in the borough by building the new state-of-the-art care facility.

He explained: "Black Country Housing Group has a strong record of delivering these services in Dudley and operates six sheltered schemes.

"It also manages the supported living services for people with learning disabilities to a very high standard.

"It is now committed to increasing care provision in the borough by developing the Shenstone scheme."

When open, the home had 41 beds and offered a mix of long and short stay placements.

All staff previously employed were redeployed within the adult social care service.

Dudley Council made the decision to close the home as money was poured into five retirement villages across the borough, providing around 600 flats for older people.