Plans revealed to turn former doctor's surgery into apartments

Plan to convert former Smiths Wood clinic into housing lodged with Solihull planners

Sam Greenway - Local Democracy Reporter | Monday 17th February 2025 9:17pm

Plans have been submitted to change a former doctor's surgery in Smiths Wood into new homes. 

Arran Medical Centre's former home in Mull Croft has remained empty since the practice moved to its current home in Burtons Way. 

An unnamed applicant has applied to Solihull Council for a change of use class from class E surgical practice to C3, residential.

The applicant, who is not named in the application, wants to turn the site into eight apartments.

An application form submitted to the authority says: “The building is currently derelict – for many years.

“It is considered that the site is well located for residents to access a significant range of amenities on foot, such as shops, education facilities, health care facilities and places to eat. 

“Kingshurst Village Centre has recently obtained permission for a significant regeneration scheme that will include a retail anchor store and improved community and health care facilities, alongside other smaller retail and commercial units.”

Plans have also been submitted with the application showing the layout for the self-contained flats.

A noise assessment to see if the site could be used as residential was carried out and the findings say: “Situated at the end of the cul-de-sac there is a large presence of residential properties, and the extended area is predominantly residential. 

“There is a small social club, 40 metres east of the site, and a small nursery – Wise Owls Nursery – 30 metres north.

“Music noise from the club will have an acceptably low impact on the proposed development site.

“No noise was observed or heard from the nursery, even with the windows and doors open.”

A consultation is now underway with a closing date for submissions of March 4. 

To view the plans and submit a comment search for application PL/2025/00132/PNCEC3 at https://publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk/online-applications.

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