A former day nursery in Olton could be converted into a children's home under plans submitted to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC).

The application relates to 32 Ulverley Green Road, where applicant Mrs Shaheen Akhtar is seeking permission to change the use of the building from a day nursery to a residential children's home.

According to planning documents, the home would provide accommodation for up to three children with emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD), learning difficulties and/or sensory impairments.

The facility would be registered with Ofsted and staffed by up to two carers at a time.

No extensions or external alterations are proposed, with all changes taking place inside the existing building.

Existing classrooms and office space would be converted into residential accommodation.

A planning statement submitted with the application argues the proposal would have a significantly lower impact on the surrounding area than the current nursery use.

"The proposed change of use will result in a use that is residential in character, modest in scale, and entirely consistent with the neighbourhood in which the property is situated," the statement said.

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It added: "The proposed use represents a clear material improvement in terms of its impact on the surrounding residential area compared to the existing use, in every relevant planning dimension."

The application highlights a reduction in occupancy from more than 30 children, alongside staff and parents, to a maximum of three children and two staff members.

It also says vehicle movements would fall substantially, with the nursery generating regular drop-off and collection traffic while the children's home would operate more like a family dwelling.

The statement also points to reduced parking demand, lower noise levels and fewer peak-hour movements, with five off-street parking spaces available on site.

Planning documents note there is a national shortage of registered children's homes and say the proposal would help meet demand for specialist residential care.

Residents will be invited to consult on the matter on 14 September.

Click here to view the full application.