Solihull planners have refused permission for a three-bedroom Castle Bromwich property to be converted into a children's care home. The decision, issued on August 28, blocks the proposal for the home in Relient Close, near Castlewood School, which would have accommodated up to two children.
Application details and proposed use
Applicant Junaid Butt applied to Solihull Council for a certificate of lawful development to change the use of the property into a care home for two children. The application was submitted to the council in February. According to a statement included in the application, the home would have a maximum of two children aged between seven and 17 years old.
The statement outlined the operational plans: “Each child will be supported by a support worker on a one-to-one basis which means there will be a maximum of two staff members on shift at any time.” It also noted that “two bedrooms will be used by children, there will be no staff living at the property, but two staff members will be on duty at night to respond to the needs of children.”
The applicant argued that the children would be identified by the local authority as needing a residential placement, and that the change would not materially affect neighbours. The statement said: “It is considered there would be no material change to the living conditions of occupiers within neighbouring properties because of the change of use. We consider the proposed use is an acceptable use within this residential area - we trust therefore that this application will be supported and approved.”
Council's refusal and reasoning
Had the certificate been approved, it would have confirmed the use was lawful for planning purposes and protected against future enforcement action. However, on August 28, officer Mark Andrews, the authority’s head of planning, design and engagement services, issued a decision notice refusing to certify the legality of the application.
In the decision notice, the officer wrote: “Whilst supporting information has been submitted regarding the proposed operation of the premises, insufficient evidence has been provided regarding the detailed operational characteristics of the use and the manner in which the occupants would function as a single household where care is provided for residents. The local planning authority is therefore not satisfied that the proposal would not constitute a material change of use requiring planning permission.”
Next steps for the applicant
The refusal means the applicant would now have to apply for full planning permission if they still want to proceed with the plan. As of now, the council’s planning portal shows no such application has yet been submitted. The full decision can be viewed by searching for application PL/2026/00389/CLOPUD on the Solihull Council public access website.
