Controversial plans to redevelop the Sutton Coldfield Conservative Club alongside a care home have been approved – thanks to backing from Labour councillors.

Watford-based Gracewell care homes plans to demolish the building in Jockey Road.

In its place there will be a sports hub to accommodate Boldmere Tennis Club, the Conservative club and bowling green alongside a major 65-bed dementia care home.

But in a bizarre twist, Conservative members of Birmingham’s planning committee voted against the plans – agreeing with residents that the three-storey care home and sports and social club development is too large.

They complained it will invade the privacy of neighbours, generate more traffic as people come and go and the social club will spark an increase in noise and nuisance late at night.

Coun Maureen Cornish (Cons, Sutton Four Oaks) said: “I agree that we need care homes, however this is going to be quite an intensive development and surrounding properties will be affected.

“It will be heavily used day and night.”

But the majority Labour members backed council officers who recommended the development go ahead and planning permission was given.

Coun Barry Henley (Lab, Brandwood) praised planning officers for insisting on major changes to the design of the new home. He said: “It is very well designed and the pavilion will be a striking building.”

Gracewell Healthcare said that they are meeting the high demand for care home places in the town and that it will benefit nearby residents with relatives in need of specialist care.

A spokeswoman for the firm said the sports and Conservative club’s had been struggling due to rising costs and falling membership.

She added: “Through the delivery of a new nursing home, the club will receive sufficient funding to provide a new, smaller clubhouse, with improved facilities for tennis and bowls to remain on site.”