Latest on Victor Road flats planning application as Solihull residents raise concerns

Campaigners against a proposal to build flats for people with learning difficulties face a longer wait to see the decision of Solihull planners. The application from Heera Builder to convert a house into four self-contained flats with two-storey side and single-storey rear extensions went before the latest planning meeting.

Residents living near the proposed development in Victor Road submitted 46 objections to Solihull Council raising a variety of concerns. Their fears included the potential of increased noise/smells and that it was "not the area for this type of use of the property".

Mr Hall, a nearby resident, said: “I’m speaking on behalf of many people. There are people who have been living there since 1954 when the houses were first built. To fit four people in there (the house) is like putting rabbits into a hutch. It’s a tiny house. I don’t know where you are going to get four parking spaces out the front.

READ MORE: Solihull residents object to flats for people with learning difficulties

“It will be over scale and a bit overbearing for the area. I agree we have got to look after people with learning disabilities but it can cover anything from alcoholic problems, drug problems, sex offenders, people with anger management. The residents of the road don’t want people of that sort because it’s a quiet residential area."

Council officer Kim Allen stressed the potential flat users would not be taking on such a level of support and care that changed the use category of the application. She explained this meant the application should be treated like it was a “normal domestic house” and anyone would be living there.

Laura McCarthy, the councillor for Elmdon the ward Victor Road is in, raised issues including parking and bin storage. She added: “Concerns have come not from so-called Nimby neighbours. These are genuine concerns from people with mental health experience who have concerns about the level of supervision planned which could leave vulnerable people open to exploitation.”

During councillors' debate committee chairman Councillor Bob Grinsell asked whether it was feasible to get four cars parked on the front, the officer replying that it would be tight. Councillor Dave Pinwell said: “I have considerable sympathies with the speakers in regards to the occupancy (the potential users) - but this is not the place for it.

“Looking at it from the perspective of is it suitable for occupation by any group of people, I believe it is not suitable for four cars. It will work if they have all got Fiat Unos - it is a significant problem.”

Councillors voted to defer for further information on parking, bin storage and the size of the four units. "It will come before us again at some future juncture,” he added.

The application was discussed at the latest meeting of the council held at the Civic Suite on Wednesday, (June 12).

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