Frustrated campaigners shouted as a Shirley children's home was given the go-ahead by Solihull planners.

New Future Care's application to convert a four bedroom detached family house in Woodlands Lane into a children's home for two children, aged five to 17-years-old, went before Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) planning committee's latest meeting after being delayed last month due to typing errors in the application.

As the Local Democracy Reporting Service previously reported, a signed petition from 70 residential addresses was handed in to the authority, as well as 25 objections being lodged with the council during a consultation period.

At the start of the meeting planning officer Jon Hallam said a condition had been added regarding staff change over times to ensure they didn't clash with school pick up times, as officers were "mindful" of Woodlands Infant School being close by.

In the public speaking section Jerry Sumner said: "I'm asking members to focus on one issue – highway safety.

"My concern is whether this particular site can accommodate this particular use safely.

"The officers report says the impact would not be severe. Not severe does not automatically mean safe."

Sharing pictures he had taken he said: "Vehicles already park around and in some cases directly over restrictions (in the road).

"I've been told this application is already a 'done deal' – I sincerely hope that is not the case."

Planning committee chairman Cllr Bob Grinsell replied: "I don't know where you heard that, there is no done deal in this committee I can assure you."

Ward councillor Max McLoughlin said: "The highway authority has no objection but its reasoning about the school comes down to one sentence – 'given the presence of 'School Keep Clear' restrictions near the school entrance it is considered unlikely any overspill parking associated with the proposed development would occur immediately adjacent to the school access'.

"Everything follows from that assumption.

"The markings don't stop parking as demonstrated by Mr Sumner's images.

"I'm asking for refusal."

In the debate Cllr Grinsell said: "We have seen this scenario many times on this committee.

"As the speakers have pointed out, it's a highways issue. Every school in the borough has exactly the same issues."

The chairman said the condition could mitigate the impacts at school drop off and pick up times.

Cllr James Bradley asked if the condition could also apply to visitors but the legal adviser said: "I don't think we can, for example you have hospital visits or calling 999.

"It is not going to be enforceable."

Cllr Bradley later said at staff change over times it was likely staff would park in the road.

"Is there an informative we can pass that cars park on the drive and not the road?" he said.

Cllr Chris Whelan said: "We are assuming everybody will adhere to what we asking. It's great to assume, I don't think it works."

The chairman said: "They (parents) park on zig zags, double yellow lines, on the pavement.

"When you tell them they are parking wrongly, they will give you abuse."

After discussions on the enforcement of conditions, the chairman said: "I know there are a lot of residents here (in the public gallery).

"Should we approve it, we won't see it on a day-to-day basis, you will," hinting that they could report issues, which could lead to action by enforcement officers.

When the vote was held five councillors voted in favour with three against.

There were shouts of "done decision" from frustrated residents as they left the public gallery following the meeting at the Civic Suite on October 7.