By Sam Greenway
Plans to turn a former GP surgery in Smiths Wood into new homes have moved a step closer. Arran Medical Centre鈥檚 former home in Mull Croft has been empty since the practice moved to its current base in Burtons Way. An unnamed applicant applied to Solihull Council for a change of use of the building from Class E surgical practice to C3 residential in January and create eight apartments. READ MORE: Solihull green belt building frenzy as another developer reveals homes plan Get the latest court and crime news direct via our WhatsApp community here The application said: 鈥淭he building is currently derelict – for many years. 鈥淚t is considered 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. 鈥淜ingshurst 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.鈥 Plans were also submitted with the application showing the layout for the self-contained flats. Solihull planners approached ten neighbours to the site and none submitted objections to the plan. In March Mark Andrews, the authority鈥檚 head of planning, design and engagement services, gave the go-ahead, subject to conditions. Now the applicant has applied to the council to sign off a preparatory condition to allow construction work to begin. An application to formally 鈥榙ischarge鈥 conditions four (noise mitigation) was submitted to the authority on June 25. A consultation is underway with a closing date for submissions of July 29. To view the plans and submit a comment search for application PL/2025/01243/DIS.