A controversial plan to convert a house in Elmdon into a seven-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) has been rejected by Solihull planners and is now set for review by a government planning inspector.
The property in Old Lode Lane has been the center of an ongoing HMO dispute. Initially, Neolux Living Ltd applied to house six unrelated individuals in the property, seeking a lawful change of use to establish the HMO status. Solihull Council granted a certificate of lawful development, confirming the legality of the six-person HMO and protecting it from enforcement action.
However, only three months later, last October, Neolux Living submitted a further application to increase occupancy to seven residents. The proposal involved converting a communal office into an ensuite bedroom, with the applicant arguing that adding one extra occupant should not constitute a material change of use or alter the character of the large existing HMO.
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Despite these claims, in November, Mark Andrews, Solihull Council’s head of planning, design and engagement services, refused to grant a certificate. Andrews stated that the proposed increase represented a material change of use requiring full planning permission, which had not been sought.
With no new application submitted through the usual planning channels, Neolux Living has now escalated the matter to the national level. They are appealing the refusal decision, and the case will be considered by a government planning inspectorate. The date for the inquiry has not yet been confirmed.
For those interested in following the case, details can be found on the planning inspectorate’s website under appeal reference APP/Q4625/X/25/3376848.