Cradley Heath neighbours' concerns bungalow could be extended into HMO

More than eighty people living in Timbertree Road have signed the petition against plans to extend a two-bedroom bungalow into a two-storey house with four double bedrooms, each with ensuite bathrooms.

They are worried that the home will be used as a HMO and have other concerns around there not being enough car parking and loss of light and privacy.

Planners at Sandwell Council are recommending the proposal from Igloo Construction be approved - but because it has attracted 12 objections and a petition with more than 80 names on - it will be decided at a planning committee meeting tomorrow night (Wednesday June 22).

The proposal came up at a previous committee meeting but was deferred for councillors to carry out a site visit before making a decision

Resident Sue Morgan, who organised the petition, said residents are worried the house could become a HMO.

The 65-year-old semi-retired dressmaking teacher, said: "All the bedrooms are double and have their own bathrooms. On the original plan there was five bedrooms - one bedroom was downstairs with a wet room, but that has been changed to a living room.

"Who on earth has a living room with a wet room off it?

"A lot of residents have lived here more than 40 years - it's a lovely street with a close community."

Plans showing the layout of the extended home (Design by Brophy Riaz and Partners Architects)

The petition states that the new home would cause a loss of light and overshadowing to neighbouring homes and would be "obtrusive."

It states: "The proposed development now has four double bedrooms all with ensuites (but originally five which is still easily achieved) and therefore it could accommodate eight people (possibly ten with five bedrooms. The allocated three parking spaces is clearly not sufficient.

"If cars are parked on the road this would be a clear danger to residents and other drivers as the road is narrow, there is an increased safety hazard as the property is on the brow of the hill."

How the home would look. (Design by Brophy Riaz and Partners Architects)

A report to the planning committee recommending approval states: "In regard to concerns that the property could be an HMO, under permitted development legislation if there are 6 or less persons in an HMO then no planning permission is required and is in effect permitted development.

"Therefore, concerns regarding HMO in this instance are not a reason for refusal."

It also states: "It is considered the proposed development is acceptable in terms of design, appearance and scale and would not result in any significant loss of amenity to neighbouring residential properties."

The bungalow as it is now (Pic: Google)