“Eyesore” care home to become flats in Walsall
A vandal hit former care home in Walsall that has been plagued by anti-social behaviour will become a new apartment block.
Walsall Council’s planning committee gave the thumbs up to a plan by developer Parminder Singh to convert the old Heath View building in Wilkes Avenue into 12 studio apartments and one three bedroom flat.
At the meeting on December 10, members heard how the building had become an eyesore after many years of vandalism and problems.
But the applicants are confident the development will breathe new life into the area and alleviate these problems.
Residents on Wilkes Avenue raised concerns over parking and said they were worried the development could exasperate the existing issues they face.
Some struggle to find spaces near their own homes while parking on both sides of the road make it difficult for emergency services vehicles to pass.
But architect Stephen Symonds, representing the applicants, said the development would incorporate off-street parking on the front of the site.
He added this would stop people parking on both sides as a dropped kerb would be installed in front of the building.
He said: “The original building has suffered for many years of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
“As a result it is now in a very poor state and it’s quite literally an eyesore for the residents living around there. The scheme gives a new lease of life to the building.
“We’ve got off-street parking accommodating a space per flat. One neighbour said there is parking on both sides of the road currently causing issues.
“Basically by having off-street parking on the frontage it will limit parking to one side of the street, as people wouldn’t be able to park in front of the flats.”
Members voted to approve the scheme subject to conditions.
