'Cramped' Wolverhampton HMO plans rejected over crime fears
A plan to convert a home into a ‘cramped’ HMO has been turned down by a council over fears it would bring more crime.
City of Wolverhampton Council rejected plans to convert the home in Woden Road, Wolverhampton, into a six-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO) saying it feared the move would lead to further disorder in Heath Town.
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The planning application asked for permission to demolish a side extension, build a new rear extension and convert the home’s loft to make way for a six-room house of multiple occupation (HMO).
“The wider area already has high levels of crime,” a report by the council said.
“This proposal would likely lead to the potential for further crime and disorder and add to the fear of crime and undermine community cohesion.”
The council’s planners also said the majority of the HMO’s proposed rooms fell below already tight space standards and communal areas such as the kitchen, dining room and living room were also short on standards for six people.
The council said the proposed HMO plans by Dean Investment Properties had “failed to promote a safe and accessible environment.”
More noise and disturbance for neighbours would be expected given the “greater comings and goings” from a HMO when compared to the existing family home.
“The change of use from a family dwelling to a house in multiple occupation for six people each acting as a separate household, with their own friends, families, lifestyles, and patterns and times of movements would be significantly greater and in stark comparison to a single-family home,” the council’s report continued.
“The activity generated by both people and vehicles, as well as the likelihood of requiring additional refuse facilities will have a detrimental impact on the character of the area.
“The proposal would detract from the present level and quality of residential amenity in the area, significantly increasing the potential for noise and disturbance at different times of the day and night, particularly in terms of greater comings and goings and more intensive use of the property.”
