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A retrospective planning application for a six-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Pensnett has been refused by Dudley planners. The proposal, for a property on Birds Meadow, was dismissed for failing to provide adequate living conditions for occupiers. The application was also thrown out because it did not provide sufficient off-road parking and affected the safety of road users. Read more: HMO plan 'would not provide adequate living conditions' Read more: Deal struck to save health centre and library after campaign In his determination on the application, Carl Mellor, Dudley head of planning, said: "The application has failed to demonstrate that sufficient parking would be provided to serve the needs of the proposed six-bedroom HMO. "As such, the proposal has the potential to result in the displacement of vehicles onto the highway that would result in a detrimentally negative impact to highway safety for both vehicles and pedestrian users." The building has a long history of planning applications, in 2022 the council refused permission for a change of use to the first floor and part of the ground floor, and two storey rear extension to create five one-bedroom apartments. A subsequent resubmission of the application with one less apartment was also refused. In 2024 the authority refused to grant a lawful development certificate for the house to be used as an HMO. Council officers reported plans submitted with the application failed to give a true representation of the development however there was enough information to make a detailed assessment. The application was for six bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, ranging in size from 7.2sqm to 15.6sqm on the ground and first floors. There was a shared kitchen but no shared living room or dining room. Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here In their report, council officers concluded: "It is evident that insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that the proposal would provide a good standard of residential accommodation to serve the occupiers of the HMO, and failing to provide a good standard of residential amenity for the future occupiers in terms of layout and adequate living standards."
