Petitioners have lost out in their battle to stop a Solihull house being turned into a care home for children.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's (SMBC) planning committee signed off on the works for Buryfield Road last month - but councillors were split over the decision.

Plans submitted to the local council state the building would house three children aged between five and 17 "on a medium to long-term basis".

"The applicant has partnered with care home operators, Hope Heaven, who have extensive experience in managing a range of housing-related services and is committed to delivering high-quality care within this proposed provision," the application said.

"A full staff team will be recruited to operate the home, ensuring that appropriate support and management structures are in place at all levels of the organisation.

"Staff will hold, as a minimum, a Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care (or equivalent), or will be working towards this standard.

"The applicant's leadership team is committed to maintaining the highest standards within children's residential care and to achieving positive outcomes for the young people accommodated."

However, the scheme attracted significant local objections, with 250 people signing an online petition calling on the council to block the scheme.

Objectors said there has been a rise in the number of children's homes locally and that this site would result in a loss of privacy for neighbours.

At the council meeting last month, objector Michelle Heeley said: "This quite frankly is an application to make money from the council.

"It has not been created for the benefit of children, there would also be a negative impact on the character of the area.

"You [councillors] have a decision tonight – to accede to these ever increasing speculative applications or ask yourselves what you want your local area to be."

Council officers had recommended the application be approved.

Chairman of the committee Councillor Bob Grinsell then said: "We are in desperate need here in Solihull for this kind of facility for our children."

The scheme was approved with seven votes in favour and two against.

Click here to see the application in full.