HMO plan for detached Wolverhampton home is thrown out after fears it could lead to rise in noise and crime

The property, 453 Birmingham New Road, near Lanesfield, is owned by Mr Dabinder Sikham, who had applied to convert the house into six private units of accommodation – four with en-suite bathrooms, a shared kitchen/diner, and a shared bathroom to serve the two remaining bedspaces.

However, planning chiefs said the proposal would lead to an intensification of use of the property, as the occupiers are not a single family but unrelated individuals acting as separate households with their own visitors, patterns and times of movement.

Refusing permission, planning officer Martyn Gregory said: “This situation would result in noise and disturbance at different times of the day and night, with greater comings and goings and more intensive use of the property in comparison with that typically associated with a single-family dwelling.

“Bedrooms in HMOs tend to be more intensively used than bedrooms in single dwelling houses. This would give rise to potential noise disturbances on upper floors which is not typical of a family dwelling. Furthermore, the proposal fails the legal requirements of providing two bathrooms containing a bath or shower for 6-10 occupiers. This is detailed in the Housing Act 2004.

“The proposed change of use would effectively create separate units of

accommodation, detracting from the present level and quality of residential amenity of the existing dwelling. The inappropriate density of such accommodation would be unacceptably out of character with the immediate surrounding area.

“Representations from the police have identified that 46.6 per cent of all total reported crimes in Wolverhampton occurred within close proximity of a HMO. The ‘House in Multiple Occupation Planning Guidance’ information highlights concerns about the proliferation of HMOs in Wolverhampton and the associated anti-social behaviour and fear of crime,” he added.

“As HMO tenants are often subject to frequent change, the likelihood of problems with noise, disturbance and fear of crime occurring afresh with new tenants is high. As no management plan for the property has been provided to prevent crime from occurring in the first place, the proposal is contrary to the promotion of a safe and cohesive environment.”

Halesowen-based PUUC Architecture, acting on behalf of Mr Sikham, said plans had also been submitted to convert the garage at the property into a habitable space.