Solihull planners took just five minutes to approve turning a family home in Olton into a children's care home.

Applicant HAB Real Estate Limited had proposed the facility in Greyfort Crescent would care for a maximum of two children aged five to 17-years-old.

The applicant's plan was for children living at the home to be supported by two staff members working on shifts as well as a registered manager.

The application went before the latest meeting of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's planning committee at which a separate application for a care home in Olton had earlier been approved despite West Midlands Police raising concerns about the number of children's care homes in the area.

In a public consultation 21 objections were made by neighbours raising concerns including:

• Impact on the character of the area
• Safety concerns
• Reduction of family housing in the area
• Small driveway and insufficient parking
• Existing disturbance

But planning officers had recommended the scheme be approved, subject to conditions, as they had highlighted there had been no objections from statutory consultees including highways.

"The proposal will not be harmful to the character of the area, highway safety or the free flow of traffic, or residential amenity," officers added.

During the meeting there were no speakers during the public speaking section, with the chairman of the committee Cllr Bob Grinsell moving swiftly to the debate.

The chairman then asked: "Just one question, which will ease everybody – there are no changes to the dimensions (of the home) from what is existing to what is proposed, is that correct?"

Planning officer Matthew Heynes replied: "That is the case."

When the chairman moved to the vote six committee members voted in favour, with two against and one abstention.