Solihull Lodge: Ambitious plan to turn derelict Prince of Wales pub into stunning care home moves closer

Birmingham-based GNM Developments received permission to flatten the former Prince of Wales in Solihull Lodge in 2023.

The pub, which has suffered vandalism and graffiti, is proposed to be converted into a care home with 72 bedrooms – each with its own en-suite – a wet room, a specialist dementia ward, coffee room, cinema room, and hair and nail salon.

There will also be space for residents to grow fruit and vegetables, and keep livestock such as pygmy goats, Berkshire pigs, miniature cattle, Babydoll Southdown Sheep, chickens and possibly bees.

Work has to begin within three years of planning permission being granted.

And since 2023 the applicant has been getting preparatory conditions – which feature in the planning permission agreement – signed off by Solihull Council so construction work can start.

In March the applicant submitted a ‘non-material amendment’ to Solihull Council – an application which allows for changes to an existing approved plan.

The application was for:

• Reduced building footprint
• Reorientation of parking bays
• Improved disabled spaces and new delivery bay
• New footpath from carpark to entrance
• Increased cycle parking and resiting to end of drive
• Increased bin store area
• Air source heat pump and aircon plant area
• Resiting substation adjacent to road
• Solar panels to roof
• External alterations to building and improved landscaping

Half of the High Street-based site lies within Bromsgrove District Council’s jurisdiction and that authority gave approval to the amended plan on March 31.

On Tuesday, April 1, Mark Andrews, Solihull Council’s head of planning, design and engagement, issued a notice confirming the authority had also approved the amendment.

At the 2023 planning committee meeting, where the application was approved unanimously, former councillor and committee member James Butler said: “I used to live just around the corner from this site – the ex-pub is an absolute eyesore.

“It’s in a real state now and the proposal here is to replace it with a facility that is going to provide nursing and dementia care.

“There is a big difference between retirement homes and nursing care – I think this will be an asset to the borough and I have no objections.”

To view the amended application search for PL/2025/00410/NONMC at https://publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk/online-applications.