A fresh planning application has been submitted to transform a family home in a residential part of Castle Vale into a five-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
Details of the HMO Conversion Plan
The proposal targets a four-bedroom semi-detached property on Morar Close. The home, which currently features front and rear gardens along with off-street parking, would be converted to house five unrelated individuals.
Under the plans, each of the five bedrooms would be a single room with its own en-suite bathroom. The residents would share several communal kitchens and living spaces within the property.
Rationale and Management Promises
The application argues that the HMO would "provide high-quality shared accommodation" to address local housing needs. It is specifically aimed at professionals, key workers, or others seeking affordable options in the area.
If approved, the property would be run by a professional landlord who already holds a current HMO licence for another property in the same locality. The applicant has pledged to implement a full Management Plan to handle maintenance, waste collection, and tenant conduct.
Local Context and Planning Considerations
A key point in the application is the claim that there are no other HMOs within a 100-metre radius of the address. Furthermore, it states there are only three HMOs in total across the entire B35 postcode area.
The document describes Castle Vale as a regenerating area with excellent transport links to major employment centres like Birmingham city centre and Birmingham Airport. It cites local housing needs assessments as evidence of demand for flexible, affordable housing.
The applicant contends that the conversion would increase housing supply without requiring new construction, support economic growth by accommodating workers, and maintain the property's viability, thus preventing it from standing empty. They assert that impacts will be minimal due to the low concentration of HMOs and a design that ensures compatibility with the existing residential character.
The application will be reviewed by local planning officers at a future date.
