Fear of 'cooking smells' and anti-social behaviour in opposition to HMO plans
Fears over "cooking smells" and a rise in anti-social behaviour have provoked opposition to plans to creating a HMO in Smethwick.
Sandwell Council planning committee members are being recommended to approve a proposal by Genius Property Assets Ltd to convert the Anderson Road property into a seven-bed house of multiple occupation.
The applicants said the development would meet growing demand for such accommodation, targeting young professionals, while a management plan has also been drawn up to ensure any issues are dealt with.
But the plans, which involve an extension to the existing home, have attracted objections from residents who are concerned about the impact the HMO will have on the area.
A report to Wednesday’s planning committee meeting said concerns were around increased demand for car parking spaces, over development of the site and a loss of privacy for neighbours.
Other concerns included: “The development of HMOs in the surrounding area has resulted in an increase in pollution and anti-social behaviour.
“The proposal would increase cooking smells and odours. The proposal would set a precedent.”
But planning officers said no objections had been received from highways or West Midlands Police and the proposal wasn’t deemed to be over-development of the site.
They said: “The proposal raises no significant concerns from an amenity or design perspective and proposes suitable living accommodation.
“The council’s highways team has raised no objections to the application with the development providing suitable parking provision for the number of rooms proposed.
“I am satisfied there would be no significant impact to the safety and convenience of users of the highway. Furthermore, there are no compelling policy reasons for refusal.”
Genius Property Assets LTD said: “The proposal would result in enhanced, good quality en-suite and additional facilities within the accommodation, which provides an alternative means of accommodation in a sustainable location.
“The site’s proximity to public transport means that the occupiers will be less reliant on the use of private modes of transport.
“The proposal also benefits from making use of an existing site, which is already being used as a residential use.
“The proposal for a seven-person HMO reflects a growing need for this type of accommodation. [It] would provide additional affordable social housing, which offers comfortable living, close to local amenities and public transport facilities.”
