Walsall Council has approved its own planning application to turn a town centre hotel into a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) for people experiencing homelessness.
Retrospective Application for Temporary Shelter
The local authority purchased the Midland Hotel at 20 Station Street in May 2025. Three months later, it submitted a retrospective planning application for a 14-bedroom HMO. A retrospective application is used when work is carried out without prior consent.
The application was made on behalf of the council's Walsall Home Improvement Agency, which supports disabled and vulnerable residents. The property will be used to meet the council's statutory homelessness duties by providing temporary accommodation, with occupants staying an average of 22 days.
Planning Concerns and Council Justification
Planning policy officers initially raised several issues. They noted concerns about the high number of large HMOs already operating in Walsall. They also highlighted the lack of outdoor or green amenity space for future occupants and described the provision of hobs and ovens for 14 people as inadequate.
However, officers ultimately deemed the application acceptable. They concluded that because the occupants would be temporary, normal amenity standards were not expected. They also reasoned that the temporary HMO use would present little change to the building's previous operational use as a hotel.
The mid-terrace building is situated within a conservation area and near Grade II listed properties on Station Street. The council confirmed the exterior would remain unaffected, and no parking would be provided, only a cycle store at the rear.
Addressing Housing Supply and HMO Issues
In its statement, the council defended the decision, citing a critical need for housing. It pointed out that the latest figures show Walsall does not currently have a five-year housing land supply and failed the housing delivery test published in December 2023.
The council also acknowledged growing concerns about the large number of HMOs in parts of the borough, which have been linked to poor living conditions, anti-social behaviour, waste management problems, and parking issues.
It argued the proposed use was 'sui-generis' (unique) and, although similar to an HMO, the transitional and temporary nature of the occupants made it comparable to the building's previous hotel use. The council stated the scheme "presents little if any change to the operational use of the building and consequently raises no significant principal issues."
