Inspector rejects controversial Smethwick HMO plans after wave of objections

A government inspector has thrown out an appeal over a plan to convert a home into a nine-bed HMO.

Sandwell Council rejected proposals to convert the home in Queen’s Road, Smethwick, into the house of multiple occupation (HMO) in July after receiving a wave of objections from neighbours.

A total of 64 objections were lodged with the council during public consultation and the authority’s planners received a 100-signature petition against the new HMO.

An online petition opposing the HMO was signed by more than 700 people.

The decision was appealed to the government’s planning inspector but has been rejected again over concerns the change would cause more noise and disruption for neighbours.

The inspector’s report said: “In my view, the proposed use of the property would not be comparable to occupation of the property by an extended family, as asserted by the appellant.

“This is because even a large family would typically be likely to share some form of routine and daily activities associated with family life, even if they had different working patterns.

“In contrast, the nine separate households that could occupy the property as proposed, would largely operate entirely separately from each other.

“As a result, comings and goings, use of the rear garden, visitor activity and general day-to-day movements are likely to occur with greater intensity and at more wide-ranging times of day and evening compared with a single-family household.”

The many objectors said the HMO was “out of character” for the area and would result in more noise and create the potential for anti-social behaviour.

The online petition warned the HMO would “disrupt the harmony and safety [the community had] cherished for years.”

“Not only will such a conversion increase traffic congestion in our quiet neighbourhood, but it also raises significant concerns regarding safety and crime,” it said. “The transformation of family homes into HMOs often correlates with an increase in foot traffic and vehicles, often leading to dangerous road situations, particularly for our children who walk to school daily.

Sandwell Council’s planners rejected the proposal agreeing with objectors that it would lead to greater disturbances.

A planning report by Sandwell Council rejecting the application said: “The application property is a detached dwelling, where the existing level of activity would typically be associated with that of a single-family household in terms of noise, comings and goings, and the times at which these occur.

“In contrast, occupants of an HMO are likely to live largely independently of one another, resulting in an increase in the number and frequency of comings and goings, together with a greater number of visitors and deliveries.

“Consequently, given the number of proposed residents, the HMO use would give rise to increased noise and disturbance, to the detriment of the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers.”