The City Council has granted planning permission for the conversion of Waterworks House in Doe Bank Lane, Spon End, into a Children’s Care Home.
Waterworks House was built over 170 years ago for the manager of the area’s water works, which opened in 1847.
The works closed in 1970, later becoming housing, and all that remains now is the old house and a disused water tank under a nearby green space.
The proposed application will provide long term accommodation for four children aged between 10 – 18 supported by the City Council’s Children’s Service staff.
The house is described as providing “ideal” accommodation for the children, including four individual bedrooms and shared spaces. It is expected that 14 full-time staff will work at the home, including an overnight carer, the report added.
The building is locally listed and is located within the Spon End Conservation Area. It is described as a “fine example” of “domestic Gothic” architecture from the time.
The Change of Use application does not affect the appearance of this interesting old building.