A BID to convert a Dudley semi into a HMO has been given the go-ahead, despite objections from the police and a neighbour.

The application to turn Janeth House on Hilltop Road into a four-bedroom HMO, in the St. Thomas's Ward, was approved on June 14.

One neighbour in Watsons Green Road objected saying: "Hill Top Road already has a large number of cars parked on the road and on the paths and is a serious and dangerous bottleneck for traffic outside this property, the parking area and road is not large enough to accommodate for a HMO.

(Image: Google)

"There is already a HMO on Watsons Green Road.

"There has been so many problems at this address, drugs, anti-social behaviour, etc, for the last 5 years, it once was a family house and we had no problems.

"HMOs bring a lot of problems to the area and the only people who benefit are landlords not local neighbours.

"The Kates Hill area is already in decline and needs a lot of investment, HMO’s will only make things worse."

Police also objected to the conversion due to increased crime rates near HMOs - but planners said this was not reason enough for a refusal.

A report by planners, which states that the house is already in use as a HMO, says: "West Midlands Police have raised concerns with the change of use of this property to a house in multiple occupancy.

"Whilst based on the Police’s comments that there is a trend between increased crime rates and the location of HMO’s, each application should be assessed on its own merits and there is no specific evidence in relation to this application property and crime rate in the area.

"As such, whilst the Police’s concerns are acknowledged, these are not enough to warrant refusal in this instance."

Plans show one en-suite bedroom and communal kitchen on ground floor, two en-suite bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor and one bedroom on the second floor.