NEIGHBOURS in a quiet Oldbury cul-de-sac are up in arms at plans to turn one of the houses in the "close-knit" street into a HMO.

A bid to turn 16, Suffolk Close, into a five bedroom house of multiple occupancy, has been submitted to Sandwell Council, with council planners telling residents there is nothing they can do to block it.

People living in the street are shocked and upset and have started a petition against the HMO which they say "is totally out of character for this "small and quiet cul-de-sac."

Nineteen people have signed the petition, with concerns centred around the "potential for anti-social behaviour, rise in crime, ex-offender occupiers, drug trafficking, parking problems, fly-tipping, noise pollution, and environmental concerns."

Residents spokesman David Rowlands, aged 57, said the cul-de-sac is a "close knit community and pleasant place to live" with mainly young families and elderly residents, some of whom have lived in the street for more than 40 years.

He said the HMO could have up to six residents, all with cars - not counting visitors - which would block the street.

The chief engineer an electrical firm said: "I can't over-state the levels of stress and anxiety this situation is creating for the overwhelming majority of the residents of the close.

"Everyone is absolutely gutted. It's just not the right place for it."

Residents also fear it would devaule their homes. 

Halesowen News:

Pic: The quiet cul-de-sac (Google)

Carl Mercer, Principal Planner, wrote to Mr Rowlands telling him that in 2010 planning law was changed to allow small scale HMOs of not more than six residents without the need for planning permission.

The application is for a permitted development change.

Mr Mercer states: "Therefore, all of the considerations that go with determining a planning application (e.g. parking, noise, suitability of the use etc) cannot be taken into account.

"There is no action that the council can take to prevent this lawful change."

He states that the property will require a HMO licence which is authorised by the council's housing team.

Mr Mercer says "HMO licensing standards are very strict as they require: sufficient living space for the occupants; sufficient amenities; the property to be up to standard in terms of health and safety issues; all certification to be provided to the council; the property to be clean and well maintained; the property to abide by a set of management regulations as prescribed by the Government."

He goes on: "Failure to licence a HMO can result in a civil penalty of up to £30,000 and any breaches of the licence conditions and/or management regulations will also result in considerable fines.

"Most HMOs are well run and the neighbours often do not realise a HMO is in their road.

"However, sometimes things go wrong, but as you can see the council has the tools to address matters if problems do occur.

"Whilst I empathise with residents due to the lack of control over the change, I know as a planner that there is no action that can be taken to prevent this change given the current legislative environment.

"I trust that some comfort can be taken from the intervention that can be made by our housing team should issues occur."

The application is from a Mr Randhawa, of Brands Properties Ltd, based in Beeches Drive, Birmingham.