HMO plan for Brownhills kitchen shop approved
A plan to convert an old kitchen shop into bedsits has been given the green light – six months after it was first refused.
Just Rooms (Midlands) Ltd will transform the former R B Tonks Fitted Kitchens shop in Lichfield Road, Brownhills, in a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) with eight rooms.
When the application was originally submitted, the developers said demand for retail premises was diminishing and their plans would help prevent the building deteriorating.
Planners rejected the proposal for a number of reasons including that the HMO would be out of character with the area, potential noise pollution for the incoming residents from the busy street and the disturbance it would cause neighbours.
But agents BM3 said they had addressed the concerns raised previously and the development was now acceptable.
They said: “The application seeks a change the use of the ground floor retail store and reconfiguration of a first floor flat to two separate HMOs.
“The proposal creates four bedrooms on each floor with an en-suite for each bed space and a shared kitchen and lounge area. Each room has an outlook to the facing either the rear yard or Lichfield Street.
“Residential use is a character of the surrounding area save for a small number of commercial premises.
“The HMO has been redesigned to provide a satisfactory living environment by providing a kitchen/lounge with an outlook towards Lichfield Road. Each bedsit will have an en-suite and access to semi-private green space.
“A noise survey has been submitted with the application and has concluded that a satisfactory noise environment can be created through the use of glazing, doors and ventilation to the specification outlined.
“Parking spaces have been relocated to reduce the impact upon bedsits to the front of the building."
