Sandwell Council has rejected a plan to convert a home in Queen's Road, Smethwick, into a nine-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) after a wave of objections from neighbours. The decision follows 64 formal objections lodged with the council, a 100-signature petition, and an online petition signed by more than 700 people.
Community concerns over safety and character
Objectors argued the HMO was "out of character" for the area and would lead to increased noise and potential anti-social behaviour. The online petition warned the development would "disrupt the harmony and safety [the community had] cherished for years." It added: "Not only will such a conversion increase traffic congestion in our quiet neighborhood, but it also raises significant concerns regarding safety and crime. 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."
Planning report highlights disturbance and parking issues
A planning report outlining the rejection stated: "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."
Highways officers advised that the proposal was deficient by one off-street parking space. The report added: "As the provision of an additional space would conflict with the existing bus stop on Queens Road, adequate parking cannot be provided within the site and clear of the highway."
Previous development on the site
In 2012, Sandwell Council granted planning permission to build 14 homes on the site of the former Londonderry pub, located on the corner of Bason Lane and Queen's Road.
