Council backs conversion of former bank to 12-bed HMO
Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 10 Nov, 07:26 · Archive
Sandwell Council has approved plans to convert a former NatWest bank building in Smethwick into a 12-bed house of multiple occupation.
Sandwell Council has approved plans to convert a former NatWest bank on Smethwick's High Street into a 12-bed house of multiple occupation. The conversion will retain the building's historic character and provide flexible commercial accommodation.
Separately, a renewed application to convert an Oldbury home into a six-bed HMO has been submitted to Sandwell Council after previous rejections. The original application sought to convert a home on Wolverhampton Road for up to eight people. Sandwell Council rejected that application in March, and a government inspector threw out an appeal against the decision last month.
The Oldbury application comes after Sandwell Council introduced new rules requiring all new HMOs to go through the planning process. Until this change, homes across the borough could have been converted into small houses of multiple occupation – shared housing for three to six people – under permitted development rights without planning permission. The new rules do not apply to existing HMOs.
The council introduced the restrictions over concerns about the number and concentration of HMOs in the borough, alongside worries about parking, litter, crime, anti-social behaviour, changes to neighbourhood character and the loss of family housing. The Oldbury application faced 38 objections before council planners considered it earlier this year.
How it is being reported
- Renewed bid for controversial Oldbury HMO despite previous refusalsSandwell Council said the bigger HMO would cause more noise for neighbours after 38 had objectedBirminghamLive · 10 Nov, 07:00
- Renewed bid for controversial Oldbury HMO after rejectionsA new application for a lawful development certificate to convert the home into a six-bed HMO has now been submitted to Sandwell Council.Birmingham World · 9 Nov, 14:44
- Renewed bid for controversial Oldbury HMO after rejectionsA new application for a lawful development certificate to convert the home into a six-bed HMO has now been submitted to Sandwell Council.Express & Star · 9 Nov, 14:44
- Plans to convert former Smethwick NatWest bank into 12-bed HMO backed by councilThe former NatWest bank in Smethwick's High Street will be converted into a 12-bed house of multiple occupation after Sandwell Council backed the plans, which will retain the building's historic character and provide flexible commercial accommodation.Birmingham World · 9 Nov, 12:53
- Plans to convert former Smethwick NatWest bank into 12-bed HMO backed by councilThe former NatWest bank in Smethwick's High Street will be converted into a 12-bed house of multiple occupation after Sandwell Council backed the plans, which will retain the building's historic character and provide flexible commercial accommodation.Express & Star · 9 Nov, 12:53
In this story: Sandwell Council · Smethwick · NatWest · Oldbury · Wolverhampton Road
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