Oldbury HMO plan rejected after police say it would cause ‘parking nightmare’

Sandwell Council has rejected a planning application to convert the home in Ashes Road, Oldbury, into a 10-bed house of multiple occupation saying the increase in noise and lack of parking spaces would cause problems for neighbours.

The local authority’s planners also said the increased “intensity” of the proposed HMO would “significantly” harm the area and the living conditions for its neighbours in Ashes Road.

Before the council made a decision, West Midlands Police had objected to the move saying it had “many concerns” about the application.

West Midlands Police said two parking spaces was not enough for at least 12 residents and any visitors. The home in Ashes Road also sits on a traffic island.

Parking would be a “nightmare” the force’s design out crime officer said in a response to Sandwell Council.

The cramped plans also only included one bathroom per floor – with five bedrooms on each floor – and only a small kitchen as ‘communal’ space. West Midlands Police said a 10-bed HMO would also be “out of character” for the residential Ashes Road and parking cars at the rear of the HMO would encourage more vehicle crime.

“By parking at the rear the vehicles have no natural surveillance and vehicle crime in this vulnerable location will see an increase in vehicle crime as the offences will not be seen,” the force added.

A report by the council’s planning officers outlining its refusal said: “The intensity of the use and resultant increase in noise and general disturbance would have a detrimental impact on residential amenity, which would significantly harm the character of the area and the living conditions of neighbouring residents

“The lack of sufficient off-street parking for the development would appreciably harm residential amenity and compromise highway safety.”