Care home’s summer house plan blocked again
A dementia care specialist has been blocked from building a summer house in the grounds of its historic Walsall home for the second time in four months.
Bosses at Pelsall Hall, in Paradise Lane, wanted to give its elderly residents a relaxing facility that can be used for activities all year round in its garden.
But planners at Walsall Council said the prefabricated, flat-roof timber summer house would be out of character with the locally listed Victorian house.
Greensleeves Care, which runs Pelsall Hall, said it was “considering its options” following the decision.
The 39-bedroom Pelsall Hall, which evolved from an early 18th century farmhouse, provides accommodation and personal care for people aged over 65 living with dementia and physical disabilities. It was rated ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission following their last inspection in July last year.
While it retains some of its period features, the home was extended and refurbished back in 2006.
The proposed summer house was refused permission in September last year due to the concerns over the contemporary design, lack of a path across the lawn and insufficient justification against the authority’s development policy.
In the latest application, agents Owl Architects said they had addressed these concerns, such as introducing a path to the summer house.
They added: “The proposed structure is more closely located to the 2006 extension rather than the original building and that in itself has a contemporary entrance front.
“The policy concerns reflect issues of environmental protection, the significance of buildings on the local list and good design.
“The proposal of erecting a summer house for the benefit of elderly residents is not considered detrimental to these aims and whilst arguably not a bespoke solution it is considered both economic and of some integrity in design terms.
“Sustainability is not of issue given it is a non-habitable structure and made of timber, it does not engender any pollution threat and the local authority’s own consultees do not object to it on arboricultural or archaeological grounds.
“It does not affect views in or out of the site and can be easily removed.”
But Chris Perry, interim head of planning, said: “The proposed design of the summerhouse by way of the flat roof, timber shed like design does not reflect the special architectural or historic interest of the locally listed building, as such it would detract from the character and setting of the locally listed building.
“Furthermore, the proposed design would neither enhance nor preserve the character and appearance of Old Pelsall Conservation Area.”
A spokesman for Greensleeves Care said: “The introduction of the summer house to Pelsall Hall will give our residents an opportunity to access an alternative environment, to relax and enjoy activities in their garden any time of the year.
“We are still reviewing our options. If we do decide to appeal, we will explore options with the planning department.”
