HMO plans for a suburban Birmingham shop are approved - despite objections from an MP
Plans to convert a shop into a HMO in a south Birmingham suburb have been recommended for approval despite an MP’s objections.
Permission is being sought for a change of use from a shop at 1726-1728 Pershore Road in Cotteridge in Birmingham to a six-bedroom HMO.
But the proposal has attracted around 30 objections including from the area’s MP Al Carns, who argued the area was already struggling to cope with the number of HMOs.
Other objections from residents living nearby also suggested there was an “over-concentration of HMOs” and that further ones could “undermine community cohesion”.
According to a council officer’s report, Mr Carns also said he was concerned over possible problems with anti-social behaviour from tenants.
But the report went on to address these concerns, saying that just over seven per cent of the houses within 100 metres of the application site are used as HMOs – nine properties in total.
It continued: “I therefore consider that the proposal would comply with [a policy] which states the change of use of a family dwelling to a HMO will be permitted where it does not result in more than 10 per cent of dwellings within a 100m radius being used as HMOs.”
It added that this HMO “would not be exempt accommodation”.
On anti-social behaviour concerns, the council officer said West Midlands Police had raised no objections to the proposed change of use.
“In view of this I do not consider that there are grounds to resist the proposal in relation to this matter,” they said.
The council officer went on to say: “Objectors have raised concerns over the close proximity of Cotteridge Junior and Infant School which is opposite the site.
“However, assumptions cannot be made over who the future occupiers of the proposed development would be.
“Consequently, there is no evidence to suggest that the proposal will unduly impact on pupils attending the school or increase crime and anti-social behaviour.”
They recommended the plans for approval , subject to conditions, due to there being “no sustainable grounds upon which to resist this scheme”.
The proposal is set to be considered by Birmingham City Council’s planning committee this Thursday, November 20.
