The Council House
4 Priory Road
Dudley
DY1 1HF

Dear Cllr Ian Bevan,

We the undersigned are writing to you as Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities in the hopes that you can provide reassurance that a full public consultation will be held to allow Wollaston residents to have their say over Dudley Council’s plans for The Woodlands and Rosemary former care homes.

With more than 4,400 Dudley residents on the housing waiting list, as of August 9 2024, and many more living in overcrowded accommodation it is clear that additional social and affordable homes are needed.

However these new homes must be well-considered so they blend in well with the existing community of Wollaston.

We respectfully request that the public consultation meets the following requirements:

• Is a two-stage process allowing residents to provide initial feedback on the proposals for the former care homes and to see revised plans which reflect the feedback received.
• The consultation events are well publicised and are held in a venue in Wollaston which is easily accessible to the public
•  Rules out any option, from the outset, to use either care home as  HMO-style accommodation.

With the initial proposals for the former care homes still in their design stage, we ask the Council to note:

•  A planning application for a large HMO to be located on Vicarage Road was rejected in December 2023 with objections from the West Midlands Police, Local Councillors and over 200 residents.
• A preference in the community for The Woodlands and Rosemary House to be used as care homes again or for step down care facilities. 
•  A secondary preference for the former care homes to be reserved as accommodation for over-55s

Your sincerely,

Cllr Andrew Tromans and the undersigned.