Petition launched to stop 'alarming rise' of HMOs in Wednesbury

A petition as been launched to stop the “alarming rise” of HMO’s in Wednesbury.

The petition hopes to enact immediate change at Sandwell Council and for the outcome of HMO’s being “closed down and vulnerable adults in there relocated.”

It addresses HMO’s in Wednesbury, but also in particular, a HMO on Churchfield’s Road.

The petition starter named T Ellis says: “We are writing this petition out of deep concern for our neighbourhood in Churchfields Road, Wednesbury, and for the wider Wednesbury community, where we are witnessing an alarming rise in the number of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), both legal and illegal.

“The increase in these properties is not simply a matter of appearance; it has become a serious issue that is having a significant negative impact on our community. In Churchfields Road alone, two adjacent houses providing eleven bedrooms have been developed in a manner that appears designed to circumvent licensing regulations.

“By presenting these properties as two separate smaller units rather than one larger development, necessary oversight has been avoided. Residents are increasingly concerned that retrospective planning approvals and inadequate enforcement are encouraging further developments of this kind.”

The petition states that local residents feel that family homes are being lost - and the properties used for HMOs “could instead be providing much-needed homes for local families who are struggling to access affordable accommodation and remain within the area they call home.”

It adds that residents have reported increased antisocial behaviour, including incidents involving drugs, drug deals, exploitation, violence, noise disturbances and frequent police attendance.

The petition starter says: “Residents change rapidly, you never know who is there and some have been quite awful. Threatening neighbours wellbeing in some cases.

“Many residents now believe that enough is enough. Communities should not be expected to continually absorb further HMO developments where there is already a significant concentration of such properties and where there is clear evidence of negative impacts on residents, local services, community cohesion and public safety.

“We therefore call for an immediate halt to the approval of these and any other HMOs in Churchfields Road and other heavily affected residential areas of Wednesbury and a full review of their cumulative impact needs to be been undertaken.”

The Express & Star has contacted Sandwell Council for comment.