Airbnb could become apartments
An Airbnb property in Walsall could be converted into flats available for rent if plans are given the go-ahead.
Applicant Keith Thomas wants to covert the property on Bescot Road into five apartments which would be made available for long term rental under assured short hold tenancies.
It is believed the building was originally built as a hostel but this use was changed some time ago and it has featured six self-contained flats since around 2013.
The accommodation has been available to book via online portals such as Airbnb and Booking.com.
Walsall Council planning officers are expected to make a decision on the proposal in May.
The application said: “It is understood that the property was originally built as a hostel, but has been used for a number of different purposes since that time.
“The property is presently rented out as short-stay rental accommodation. No external physical development works have ever taken place.
“This current application seeks full planning permission to formally change the use from a six self-contained flats with Airbnb use to five self contained apartments for residential C3 use.
“The accommodation is currently let on a short-term occupancy basis, through Air B&B marketing.
“It is proposed that the property will be made available to the residential rental market for long term rental via assured short hold tenancies.
“The proposed change of use reduces the number of overall units in the property from six to five.
“This is achieved by combing the floor space of the existing three self-contained units on the middle floor and creating two larger self-contained units more suitable to long term residential living.
“The proposal does not involve any external alterations to the building and retains the existing boundary treatments along Bescot Road which provides the area of outdoor amenity space.
“The proposal utilises the existing off-road parking area, which consists of seven spaces, situated to the rear of the building and accessed off Slaney Road.
“The proposal is not considered to result in an unacceptable use in this location, which is predominately residential housing. Refuse collection will not be any materially different.”
