Residents packed into a public gallery were left disappointed after a widely opposed plan to turn a family home in a Solihull hamlet into a new children's home was given the go-ahead.

Applicant Jason Hewitt submitted the plan to convert a four bedroom residential house in Daytona Drive, Millsons Wood, into the care home for a child in July.

The scheme went before the latest meeting of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's (SMBC) planning committee on September 9.

Councillors heard the home would provide residential accommodation for the child, aged seven to 18-years-old, diagnosed with learning disabilities or emotional, behavioural difficulties.

The plan was for the child to be supported by two staff members on site as well as a registered manager.

But 42 letters of objection were lodged from neighbours opposed to the scheme.

In the public speaking section Janet Bowers, who represented residents and broke down in tears at times, said: "This community has told you this development will change where we live.

"Daytona Drive is a narrow cul-de-sac with no bus route, shops.

"The parking calculation only works if every member of staff cycles and in any case the driveway is too small."

Cllr Catherine Price, who represents the ward the home is in, said: "It is important to note the level of concerns this application has generated.

"Up in the (public) gallery there are 24 people who have come to support this objection.

"Residents understand the importance of supporting children in care – they are concerned about whether this particular proposal has been fully assessed at this location.

"This proposal is simply not suitable for this location."

A statement from Lilian McGrath was read out which said: "I believe this is the correct place for a child to be housed and if we cannot house a child in care on a residential street then where do the neighbours expect them to be housed?

"This is the 21st century not Victorian England and we should be welcoming care in the community."

As the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported earlier this year a previous application for the care home had been rejected.

Cllr David Hoey asked: "What has changed between that application and this application?"

Planning officer Jon Hallam explained the previous application had been to certify using the house as a children's home was legal without full planning permission.

But officers had ruled it wasn't, resulting in the applicant bringing forward a full planning application.

Cllr Michael James asked: "My issue is space and how many homes are serviced by parking spaces.

"Is there enough room for three staff to be there?"

The officer replied: "Let's not forget this is an existing four bedroom house that could be occupied by a family of five or six; a HMO of up to six people.

"They would generate a significant level of parking demand.

"The question is; is the proposal going to have a materially harmful impact?

"We (officers) say no, if anything it will be an improvement potentially."

This brought laughter from the public gallery before Cllr James said: "Infrastructure in a residential area is a massive thing and shouldn't be ignored."

Later the application was approved, subject to conditions, on a narrow vote as five councillors voted for with four against.