Councillors in Walsall are set to make a crucial decision this week on plans to transform a disused pub in Willenhall into a ten-bedroom House of Multiple Occupation (HMO).
Final Decision for Former Falcon Inn
The fate of the former Falcon Inn on Gomer Street West will be sealed when Walsall Council's planning committee meets on Thursday, January 15. The session, scheduled for 5.30pm at Walsall Council House, will see elected members give a final ruling on an application to convert the property into two separate five-bedroom HMO facilities.
Planning officers have already recommended the scheme for approval. The application was submitted by Mr Satnam Sira. It is notable that the property already holds permission to become a 12-bedroom HMO, a consent which remains valid until January 2027.
Controversy and Community Opposition
The decision has been 'called in' to the committee following significant local opposition. A petition against the plans, launched by Councillor Simran Cheema, gathered 375 signatures from concerned residents.
The objections centre on several key issues:
- Inadequate parking provision for the new development.
- Over-saturation of HMOs in the local area.
- Potential harm to the amenities of nearby residents.
Councillor Cheema has also requested that this application receives more detailed scrutiny than a recent nearby HMO proposal on New Road, which the planning committee famously approved in just 16 seconds.
A Troubled History and Future Plans
The Falcon Inn has had a difficult few years since closing to the public in April 2022. The vacant building has suffered from flooding, fire damage, and metal thefts. It was eventually sold at auction in 2024 for £215,000.
The applicant has stated that if the current proposal for a 10-bed HMO is refused, they intend to proceed with works under the existing permission for a 12-bedroom HMO. This places additional pressure on the committee's forthcoming verdict.
All eyes are now on the planning committee's meeting this Thursday, where the future of this prominent Willenhall building will be determined, balancing development needs against strong community concerns.
