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Council rejects new plans for Wolverhampton HMOs in crime-hit street

AnyFans 2025-09-25

By Christian Barnett

City of Wolverhampton Council has rejected plans to demolish a number of warehouses in Fawdry Street, Wolverhampton, to make way for two four-bed houses of multiple occupation (HMO).

The council claimed the HMO tenants would result in ‘more comings and goings’ and create noise and nuisance for existing residents in Fawdry Street as well as add to the street’s extensive parking problems.

While the city’s planners supported demolishing the warehouses and redeveloping the site, they were not in favour of the HMO plans.

“Due to the short-term tenancy of HMOs, their occupants tend to be more transient in nature, with fewer connections to or respect for the local area,” the council’s planners said.

“This can result in tensions with the local more permanent domestic populations, undermining community stability and cohesion.”

The plans were scaled down after earlier discussions had proposed a 12-bed HMO.

In the report outlining the rejection, the council said 50% of all reported crime across Wolverhampton had taken place within 400 metres of an HMO.

“Whether or not such crimes are carried out by occupants of an HMO, there remains a correlation between HMOs and crime,” the council continued.

“Further data from West Midlands Police indicates that crime is already an issue within the local area. Without an appropriate management plan supporting the application, there would be no mechanisms in place to prevent or manage instances of anti-social behaviour or criminality.

“The intensification of not one but two HMOs next to each other further compounds this issue.”

The council also highlighted parking problems in Fawdry Street with residents already competing with patrons at the nearby Stile Inn pub, worshippers at two mosques at either end of Fawdry Street, and Wolves fans heading to Molineux for spaces.

“Whilst it’s likely that some of these residents wouldn’t own cars, there would still be an additional level of competition for the limited off-street parking spaces,” the council added.

“Such competition can create disputes and conflict between neighbours, undermining the harmony and enjoyment of a neighbourhood.

“Furthermore, such competition can result in reckless and overcrowded parking, which can hinder traffic flow and create a hazard for pedestrian and highway safety.”