Second order over Willenhall surgery turned into house share

The former surgery at 250 Stroud Avenue was believed to have remained vacant for around 10 years.

But planning enforcement officers discovered last year it had been turned into an eight-bedroomed house, with a communal living room, two kitchens and a shared bathroom.

An application was then lodged to turn the former surgery into a house for 12 people.

However following objections from the police due to anti-social behaviour concerns, this was withdrawn. Council bosses submitted an enforcement notice informing the owners they had 28 days to either submit a revised planning application or cease using the building as a home.

However, with the property still being used despite this, bosses will now be submitting another notice, before taking the matter to court.

Councillor Ian Shires, who represents Willenhall, said: "This was something me and my colleagues actually reported to the council after seeing activity on site. It is one of a number of buildings in the area which is unused and it is always a concern when you see people coming and going at these sites.

"We knew there hadn't been anything come through the planning system since the original plans were pulled so we reported it to the council's planning department and now we look forward to hearing what the plans are to bring it back to order."

"I presume officers are looking very seriously at this matter and I hope their actions can resolve the issue."

Objections to the original application read: "The proposed change of use to a house of multiple occupation is likely to result in incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour in an area where high rates of crime-related incidents already occur.

"The house would by reason of its proposed location within a predominantly residential area, give rise to local resident's fears of crime from potential future occupiers who may present a risk in terms of their behaviour, activities and associations."

However, a statement attached to those plans suggested that no such trouble would arise from tenants.

It read: "The provision of such accommodation would meet local requirements which encourage a mix of housing types to achieve a more sustainable and balanced community.

"The occupants of the house are anticipated to be young professionals or working people, would be likely to largely vacate the property by 9am and return after 5pm."

One tenant at the building said the property was occupied mainly by working Eastern Europeans.

The Romanian man, who did want to be named, said: "I've been here for a few months but I do know that about 12 months ago there was a problem with a bunch of tenants living here who were making a nuisance by shouting and disturbing neighbours."

One elderly local resident who lives opposite added: "All the residents seems to be out working all day and are pleasant enough when I do see them.

It's been cleaned up and its still better than leaving it empty for people to get up to whatever they want inside"

The owner could not be contacted.