Proposals for a new children’s home in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, which were twice rejected by the local council, have now been approved by a government planning inspector.
Councillors had said there was “no demonstrable need” for the home, which will look after up to three children. They were overruled.
Supply of children’s homes
Data presented to the inspector showed the existing provision was not meeting demand.
Professional Healthcare Solutions, who appealed the Council’s decision, said 88 children were housed more than 20 miles from Wolverhampton and more than a dozen further than 100 miles away.
The inspector disagreed with neighbours who said the children’s home would threaten their safety. The inspector also said moving children more than 20 miles from friends, family and schools would result in the children suffering from “significantly lower wellbeing.”
Conversion of the residential property in Redhouse Road will now go ahead.
West Midlands picture
In 2024 Ofsted found the West Midlands had 556 registered children homes, providing a total of 1,940 places for children and young people.
This was significantly higher than the previous year when the West Midlands had 475 children’s homes with 1,672 places.
The growth reflects ongoing efforts to expand residential care capacity in the region.
