A controversial plan to convert a former shop into a six-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in a Birmingham suburb has been deferred following a heated council meeting where a councillor made the frank admission that despite daily complaints, the city needs HMOs.
Planning Decision Postponed Amid Objections
Birmingham City Council's planning committee has delayed a ruling on an application to change the use of a shop at 1726-1728 Pershore Road in Cotteridge to a six-bedroom HMO. The proposal has sparked significant local opposition, including objections from residents and local MP Al Carns.
Critics argue the area is already saturated with HMOs and cannot cope with more. Mr Carns expressed specific concerns about potential anti-social behaviour from tenants, according to a council officer's report. Local residents echoed these worries, suggesting an "over-concentration of HMOs" could undermine community cohesion in the south Birmingham suburb.
'We Have Plenty of Them Already' vs 'We Need Them'
The debate revealed a clear split among councillors. Councillor Gareth Moore stated, "There's been no justification as to why the city needs another HMO. We have plenty of them in the city already." Councillor Colin Green supported this view, saying he would prefer the property be converted into family housing instead.
However, Councillor Jane Jones offered a more nuanced perspective, revealing she receives daily complaints about HMOs but also acknowledging their necessity. "I'm not actually against HMOs," she said. "With the current climate we've got with housing, we couldn't cope without them. You've got to be realistic, we need HMOs."
Councillor Martin Brooks warned that refusing the application lacked adequate grounds and would likely be overturned on appeal, suggesting a more strategic city-wide approach was needed.
Distinguishing HMOs from 'The Real Enemy'
Councillor Lee Marsham, chair of the planning committee, made a crucial distinction during the discussion. He argued that 'exempt accommodation is the enemy' – not standard HMOs. Supported exempt accommodation houses vulnerable adults, such as those recently homeless, released from prison, or with substance dependencies, and often comes with greater management challenges.
A council officer's report supported the application on technical grounds, noting that just over seven per cent of houses within 100 metres of the site are currently HMOs – nine properties in total. Council policy permits such conversions where they do not result in more than 10 per cent concentration within a 100m radius.
The report also confirmed this would not be exempt accommodation and that West Midlands Police had raised no objections regarding anti-social behaviour concerns.
The committee ultimately voted to defer the decision, seeking more information from the landlord about how the HMO would be managed. The proposals will return for consideration at a future meeting.
