Birmingham City Council has received a planning application to change the use of a house in Selly Oak into a children's home for a maximum of two children. The application, submitted by Muthu Ramasamy on behalf of Minerva Youth Care Limited, proposes converting 36 Harvington Road from a single private residential dwelling into a regulated children's home.
Proposed changes to the property
The application, dated June 30, states that only internal alterations are planned, with no external changes proposed. The property currently includes a driveway, garage, and private rear garden, and is described as a semi-detached house in an established residential neighbourhood of primarily semi-detached and detached family housing.
Under the proposal, two bedrooms would be occupied by the children, while a third bedroom would serve as a staff office and sleep-in room. The children would normally attend mainstream education or other appropriate educational provision away from the property, according to the planning statement.
Regulation and operational details
The planning statement explains: "The proposed children’s home would be owned and operated by Minerva Youth Care Limited and would be regulated by Ofsted in accordance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Children’s Homes Quality Standards."
It adds: "The home would provide residential care for a maximum of two children within a family-style environment designed to promote stability, independence and positive outcomes." The statement further notes that the change of use would make effective use of an existing residential property while addressing the "well-documented shortage of suitable children’s residential placements both nationally and within the West Midlands."
Neighbourhood impact and decision timeline
The applicant states that the dwelling would continue to function in a manner closely resembling a normal family household, with meals prepared in the existing kitchen and communal living arrangements maintained. The planning statement concludes: "It has been demonstrated that the proposed development would preserve the residential character of the area; provide high-quality accommodation for two vulnerable children; deliver important social and community benefits in support of local authorities’ statutory duties under the Children Act 1989; generate no unacceptable impact upon neighbouring residential amenity; and create no significant highway or parking issues."
"When considered as a whole, the planning benefits of the proposal substantially outweigh any perceived adverse impacts, and the proposal represents sustainable development that accords with national and local planning policy," the statement adds. A site notice has been issued, and a decision is due by 26 August.
