Here are the biggest local planning stories from the past week.

Nursery to childerens' home

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.

Read the full article here.

Three homes blocked

Plans to build up to three homes on a field off Barston Lane in Catherine-de-Barnes have been refused by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC).

The application, submitted by Angela Maddy, sought "permission in principle for up to three dwellings" on a grassed field off Barston Lane.

In supporting documents, the applicant argued the site was suitable for housing, stating: "The site is a grassed field.

"These are not 'priority habitats'.

Read the full article here.

80 home development

A planning inspector has intervened granting permission for 80 homes refused by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC).

Meriden and Solihull East Saqib Bhatti MP, local councillors and villagers had objected to developer Roscon Group's plans to build 80 homes on land in Hockley Heath on the borough's green belt.

The developer originally applied for outline planning permission for the homes on 2.25 hectares of land off Stratford Road in the village in July last year.

The applicant also asked for permission to demolish two homes – 2210 and 2212 Stratford Road – to form new access to the site.

Read the full article here.