Children’s home rejected due to high crime in Walsall area could still go ahead

Applicant Assist Development had previously submitted plans to convert two semi-detached family homes on Dartmouth Avenue into one children’s home.

The proposed facility would house up to four children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

The plans sparked opposition from nearby residents over concerns about existing parking problems and the number of social buildings in the area already.

They feared the change of use into a children’s home would lead to an increase in parked cars and traffic at the already congested street.

A petition was launched and signed by 331 residents, which was backed by ward councillor for Blakenall, Councillor Pete Smith.

The decision on whether to approve the children’s home or not was brought before the planning committee on April 24, 2025.

But despite officers recommending it for approval, members voted against it.

Rather than the issue of parking, members’ concerns focused on the high levels of crime in the area, many of them saying it would be inappropriate to put vulnerable children there.

At the meeting, ward councillor for Blakenall, Councillor Izzy Hussain said: “In the last two years, we’ve had a young man shot not too far from there, a young girl aged seven killed by an off-road bike driven by a 14-year-old.

“In the last few months, a young man was stabbed to death, and around the corner from here, recently, we had a drive-by shooting, I heard.

“This is just some of the things; there’s a lot more going on. We have a duty to our children and I wouldn’t be comfortable putting them there.”

Now, the Assist Development has appealed Walsall Council’s refusal to the planning inspector.

The decision on whether to overrule the refusal will be determined by written representations rather than a public inquiry.

A date for the decision is yet to be confirmed.