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

Castle Bromwich Children's Home

Planners have given the go-ahead for a family home in Castle Bromwich to be converted into a children's home.

The scheme for the home in Wasperton Close was given the green light despite concerns raised over highway safety.

Applicant Oceanway Childcare Ltd lodged the application with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) in May, with the home planned to house three children aged seven to 17-years-old.

The plans also included a proposal to convert a garage into a staff office.

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New homes in cul-de-sac

Solihull planners have given the green light to allow a pair of semi-detached properties to be built in a narrow cul-de-sac in Castle Bromwich.

Applicant Abid Fiaz, the homeowner, applied last December to build the homes on an existing garden area at a property in New Street saying this was a "modest-scale residential infill".

The homeowner had proposed demolition of the existing garage and conservatory to make way for the two new homes.

The scheme went before the latest meeting of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's (SMBC) planning committee after 29 neighbours had sent in objections against the plan.

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Green belt homes

Plans have been submitted to build two new homes on land south of Birchy Leasowes Lane in Tidbury Green.

Applicant Shaun Mulhall is seeking Permission in Principle for the erection of two dwellings and associated external works on the vacant triangular site.

A planning statement submitted with the application argues the proposal would help address Solihull's housing shortage while representing only a small-scale development.

It states: "The proposal provides two additional homes. The numerical contribution is necessarily modest, but that does not diminish its planning value."

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Deferred Children's Home Application

Campaigners who signed a petition against a planned Shirley children's home are now facing a longer wait for a decision after typos were found in a report.

New Future Care's application to convert a four bedroom detached family house in Woodlands Lane into a children's home housing two children, aged five to 17-years-old, went before Solihull Council planning committee's latest meeting.

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.

But in the public speaking section of the meeting Shirley ward councillor Max McLoughlin said: "Members, I ask you to consider this.

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