Controversial Great Barr children’s home plan could still go ahead despite refusal

The move to convert the home in Poolehouse Road, Great Barr, into a residential home for two children with emotional and behavioural difficulties was rejected by Sandwell councillors last month over the potential for more noise and disruption and parking problems in the neighbourhood.

More than 50 neighbours had objected to the planning application before it was eventually turned down by Sandwell Council’s planning committee in February

However the contentious plans could still go ahead after an appeal was launched to the government’s planning inspectors, who have the power to overrule Sandwell Council, in a bid to get the decision overturned.

A decision was due to be made in January but was delayed to allow councillors to visit the three-bed home near the M6 on the edge of the Black Country and Birmingham border before making a final ruling.

The objectors said converting the house into a children’s home for two children, and up to three staff, would bring more noise, parking problems and a potential rise in anti-social behaviour.

The row continued in February when councillors met again to discuss the application, with the committee eventually rejecting the proposals after an hour-long debate.

Several residents in Poolhouse Road again spoke out against the move saying the neighbourhood was unsuitable for a children’s home.

Some councillors agreed including Cllr Liam Preece who said the potential for noise and disruption made Poolhouse Road “unsuitable.”

Cllr Connor Horton added: “That estate is not appropriate for this type of development.”

In January, one of the applicants Safwaan Jeewa said he “would not entertain” accusations he was only making the move for “financial gain” adding that he was doing it “to help others.”

“It stems a lot deeper than that,” he said at the planning meeting.

“We want to help children that have educational and emotional difficulties. It’s something personal to me.”

Fellow applicant Nigar Toofany Jeewa said she was open to hear any concerns from neighbours. “We want to be able to give these children a warm and friendly home,” she said.

Sandwell Council’s planners had recommended the application be approved.

The council said it had recently rejected similar proposals that would have seen children’s homes open in residential areas only for the decision to be overturned after appeals to the government inspectors.

Last year, Sandwell Council’s planners rejected moves in Dingle Street, Huskison Close and Barston Road in Oldbury and Lee Street in West Bromwich with only the decision at a semi-detached home in Barston Road standing after being reviewed by the government’s planning inspectors.

Another decision to controversially convert a former foster home in Pool Lane in Oldbury into a children’s home was dragged out for more than 18 months before eventually being rejected by Sandwell Council’s planning committee last year.

The rejection was then appealed and overturned by inspectors in March.