A PLAN to turn a property in Dudley into a HMO has been thrown out.

An application had been submitted to Dudley Council to convert a block of five flats in Himley Road into a 13-bedroom house of multiple occupancy (HMO). It also sought to turn the rear store/garage area into a flat and to alter some elevations.

But the bid for a change of use has been refused by the authority’s planning chiefs.

A decision notice, signed off by director of regeneration and enterprise Helen Martin on December 29, stated: “The development would result in the intensification of the use of the access into the site which due to its poor visibility and steep gradient would exacerbate existing problems of pedestrian and vehicular visibility detrimental to highway safety and vulnerable road users.”

It said the application was contrary to the Black Country Core Policy and Dudley Borough Strategy Policy and guidance within the National Planning Framework 2021.

The plan was a resubmission of a previous application which was refused, planning documents stated but it included additional information about site access and visibility.

An officer report said the proposal indicated one bedroom would be located within the basement with five bedrooms on the ground floor served by two communal kitchen and two bathrooms plus a further five bedrooms on the first floor, with another communal kitchen and bathroom; and two additional rooms are provided within the roofscape.

Three letters of objection were received from neighbours who were concerned about an overconcentration of HMOs in the area, possible parking problems, security and fears of antisocial behaviour and that works had taken place to the front garden and retaining wall without permission.

West Midlands Police also expressed concerns that the development could increase demands on officers as the property is in a high crime rate area.