Concerns over Birmingham HMO plans for semi-detached home in posh city suburb A planning application has been submitted to turn a five-bed semi-detached home in Lichfield Road in Sutton Coldfield into a nine-bed HMO The proposal to turn the semi-detached five-bed family home in Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield, into a nine-bed HMO has already led to local concerns (Image: Google ) Objections have been voiced over to plans to turn a family home in a posh Birmingham suburb into an HMO. Andrew Daview of 360 Property Limited has submitted an application to convert a five-bedroom semi-detached home on Lichfield Road in Mere Green, Sutton Coldfield, into a nine-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO). ‌ The proposal is to create nine one-bedroom en-suite rooms, each with a toilet, sink, and shower, over the property's three storeys. ‌ The building also includes a communal kitchen, dining area, lounge, and outdoor patio/drying area that the occupants will share. Read more: Moment man 'caught on film' after paint thrown on house and cars There will be one parking space for ‘visitors only’, although the plans do reference three spaces in total. Article continues below Residents would not be allowed to bring their own cars on site. However, there would be dedicated ground-floor cycle parking. The property is accessed up a long drive. On one side, it has the Cross City railway line and a semi-detached property converted into three flats on the other. It is yards from Four Oaks Railway Station and close to the millionaires’ Four Oaks Estate. ‌ But residents have taken to a Four Oaks Facebook page and voiced their objections. Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join One said: “We need to stop HMOS, there are far too many, and landlords take money from the Government to pay tenants rent. ‌ “There are usually no families, only single males. I know this because I live on a residential street, which is becoming a real issue.” Another commented: “We had them next door, thankfully not at the moment. “But even when the individuals are not in dire straits with many problems, the parking, the noise, the constant visitors, comings and goings of multiple strangers, multiple parties, multiple parcels, multiple forgotten keys. ‌ “And climbing over gates and through windows was constantly disruptive and concerning especially with children around.” A third said: “One property into nine? That’s a heck of a jump. Imagine the parking situation.” While another simply said: “This needs stopping!” ‌ The property in Lichfield Road in Mere Green, Sutton Coldfield, accessed from a driveway on the left of this image is close to Four Oaks Railway Station (Image: Google ) A supporting statement for the application has been prepared by Planning Geek Limited. ‌ It says: “This proposal involves bringing additional under-used space in an existing large dwelling into further active beneficial use while helping to meet the need for additional rental provision.” The statement says there are no other HMOs within a 100-metre radius. And in anticipation of potential issues and concerns raised about HMOs the supporting statement references the property owners having a service user agreement and policies which cover ‘unacceptable behaviour’. ‌ This explicitly references ‘offensive language, noise, aggression, zero tolerance of alcohol or illicit drugs on premises, signs of intoxication or inebriation’. It says these issues are taken ‘very seriously’ with the applicants taking a fair, firm and formal approach’. Read more: U-turn over major Birmingham bin strike change at city tips ‌ It also says the applicant will ‘ensure there is a dedicated phone line staffed seven days a week should residents have any issues with tenants’ conduct.” In addition, it says a manager and senior support worker would be on duty for ‘swift visits and interactions to resolve any such complaints’. Mere Green city councillor, Meirion Jenkins (Cons.) said: “This is an entirely inappropriate application; a nine-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO) in this location on the Lichfield Road in Mere Green is inconsistent with the locality and local community. ‌ “I shall be objecting to the application." Get the latest Sutton Coldfield news delivered direct to your inbox Four Oaks city councillor, Maureen Cornish (Cons.), whose ward borders the application site, said: “We desperately need homes. We all know that. ‌ “But to turn a five-bedroom family home into a nine-bed HMO property – they become appalling. “It does not fit the bill for us here. I will be objecting to this going ahead.” Comments can be made on application number: 2025/00958/PA via Birmingham City Council's planning portal here. Article continues below Cllr Cornish, who used to be a longstanding member of the city’s planning committee, added: “The planning committee will look at where it is, what the building is and what the applicants want to do with it. “The access of Lichfield Road. And what affect it is going to have on the neighbouring houses