A planning application has been submitted to transform a four-bedroom semi-detached house on Morar Close, Castle Vale, into a five-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). This residential property, featuring front and rear gardens and off-street parking, would be converted to accommodate five unrelated individuals, each with an en-suite bedroom. Several communal kitchens and living spaces would be shared among the residents.
The proposal emphasizes providing high-quality shared accommodation tailored to local housing demands, particularly aimed at professionals, key workers, and others seeking affordable housing options in the area. The future residents would benefit from managed occupancy under a professional landlord who currently holds an HMO license for another nearby property.
The application includes a detailed Management Plan addressing maintenance, waste collection, and tenant behaviour to ensure the smooth operation of the HMO. Situated in Castle Vale—a regenerating area well connected to key employment centres such as Birmingham city centre and the airport—the development aims to meet the demonstrated demand for flexible and affordable housing.
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The proposal highlights several community benefits, including increasing housing supply without the need for new construction, supporting economic growth by accommodating workers, and maintaining property viability to avoid vacancies. The application insists that potential impacts will be minimal, citing a low concentration of HMOs in the area, with no HMOs within 100 metres of the property and only three in the entire B35 postcode. The design also aims to preserve the residential character of the neighbourhood, avoiding over-intensification.
Castle Vale, originally developed as a large council estate in the 1960s, now features a diverse mix of owner-occupied, social, and private rented housing. The planning application will be reviewed by local planners at a forthcoming meeting.