Policy HOU6 – Houses in Multiple Occupation

Support

Representation ID: 11187

Received: 25/09/2021

Respondent: Mr. Dennis R Whittaker

If implemented, this Policy will help curtail the growth in HMOs. It appears that a number of developers see them as a means of cramming as many people as possible into as small a space as possible. I therefore welcome the policy of requiring HMOs to conform to the Nationally Described Space Standards which Dudley MBC has not officially adopted. I also welcome the requirement for the provision of adequate car parking as Dudley MBC Parking Standards SPD currently does not require any parking to be provided for HMOs. I welcome the recognition of various other problems regarding HMOs.

Support

Representation ID: 11196

Received: 26/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Morgan Brookes

Change of use for existing buildings rather than new development . Leave the green belt alone . So convert derelict sites there are hundreds across the Black Country .

Comment

Representation ID: 11816

Received: 09/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Jack Richards

Proposed additions to Policy HOU6, where de-conversion of HMOs would be supported.

Comment

Representation ID: 15294

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Natural England

Policy HOU6 – Houses in Multiple Occupation

We would advise that section 1.c) of the above policy should be revised. We are not clear as to your meaning in regard to the natural environment. Are you saying that development should not have a significant adverse impact on the character and appearance of the natural environment, or are you saying that development should not have a significant adverse impact on the natural environment?

Comment

Representation ID: 15360

Received: 08/10/2021

Respondent: Mr Thomas Collier

Green field sites should NOT be used whilst there are so many empty premises.
Priority should be:
...
4. Provide affordable opportunity for people living alone in buildings where there could be multiple occupancy, especially the lonely elderly who would benefit from moving to premises where there would be company and camaraderie.
...

Support

Representation ID: 18050

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Brierley Hill Community Forum

The policies regarding Houses in Multiple Occupation are also supported A surge of applications in Brierley Hill Town Centre has been noted recently. Police response to individual applications reflect the concern felt ion the community about the proposals. It is hard to see what value an over intensification of these brings to towns. The Forum feels these should be tightened even further.

Comment

Representation ID: 22619

Received: 29/09/2021

Respondent: Chief Constable of West Midlands Police (CCWMP)

Agent: Tyler-Parkes

The Tyler Parkes Partneship Ltd act for the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police (CCWMP).

This Comments Form TOGETHER WITH the accompanying letter dated 29th September 2021 comprise the CCWMP's representations on Policy HOU6.

The CCWMP welcomes the Justification for Policy HOU6, paragraph 6.59 which explains that harmful impacts associated with high numbers of HMOs can include: ‘…g) increased anti-social behaviour and fear of crime resulting from the lifestyles of some HMO occupants, the transient nature of the accommodation and inadequately designed / maintained properties;…’

In order to properly address this potential harmful impact, the CCWMP considers it is important for there to be a specific reference within the policy itself. He recommends a modification to introduce a new policy paragraph after bullet point b. as follows:

‘c. would not give rise to unacceptable adverse cumulative impacts on security, crime, anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime.’

Comment

Representation ID: 23156

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Environment Agency

Policy HOU6 – Houses in Multiple Occupation:
This policy should be updated to include reference to ‘conversion to Houses in Multiple Occupation which are at flood risk in the 1 in 100 year plus climate change flood event’. Such conversions would only be acceptable if they provide finished floor levels on ground floor which are 600mm above the 1 in 100 year plus climate change flood level to ensure the safety of any future occupants.