Noise and nuisance behind rejection of HMO plan

Crime is already an issue within the local area, says the council, based on information from police

A plan to build two houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) in a crime-hit street in Wolverhampton has been rejected.

Several warehouses in Fawdry Street would have been knocked down to make way for two four-bed houses.

But the move was blocked because City of Wolverhampton Council claimed HMO tenants in the street would result in "more comings and goings" and create noise and nuisance for existing residents.

Council planners supported demolishing the warehouses, but were not in favour of the homes, citing police figures that 50% of all reported crime across Wolverhampton takes place within 400m (1,312ft) of an HMO.

"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 in their report.

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

'Crime already an issue'

Referring to the crime statistic, the council said: "Whether or not such crimes are carried out by occupants of an HMO, there remains a correlation between HMOs and crime.

"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 the street, with residents already competing for spaces with customers of the nearby Stile Inn, worshippers at two mosques at either end of Fawdry Street, and Wolves fans heading to Molineux.