PLANS to convert Tudor Grange House into a care home for the elderly have been handed to Solihull Council.
Proposals have been put forward by Octopus Healthcare to adapt the Grade II listed building next to Solihull College and University Centre and the construction of new buildings.
The care facility will comprise a 64-bed care home, 44 assisted living units, communal care facilities and all associated works such as a sensory and kitchen garden, hard and soft landscaping, car parking, access and drainage.
The developers submitted the application after discussions with the local planning authority and Historic England that resulted in broad support for the principle of development and design detail.
The proposed scheme was also presented at a public consultation earlier this year. The views of those attending were subsequently considered and ultimately incorporated into the scheme.
Ashley Heath, property director at Octopus Healthcare, said: “We have spent a considerable period of time in consulting on the plans and ensuring everything was correct before submitting our application.
“We have now produced viable proposals that will restore the magnificent listed building and offer great benefits to Solihull College and University Centre while providing much needed facilities for the growing number of Solihull residents in later life.”
Tudor Grange House was built in 1887 and was the family home of Sir Alfred Bird of Birds Custard fame.
The Red Cross bought it in 1945 to use as a hospital for the soldiers from the war.
In 1946 it was bought by Warwickshire County Council and became a school for children with special needs until 1976 when it became part of the then Solihull Technical College.
The red brick house has wood panelling, ornamental ceilings and tapestry works, which led to its listing in 2008.
It was put on the market by the College in 2016 because it was not being ‘fully utilised by the College and has become too costly to maintain’.
John Callaghan, principal of Solihull College and University Centre, said: “We are very pleased to see the proposals reach this important point in the process.
“If approved they will not only secure the legacy of Tudor Grange House, but also provide valuable new opportunities for our students on a range of courses such as horticulture, nursing, business, marketing and sales, finance, events management and hospitality.”
