The outbuilding at the rear of 255 Birmingham Road already has toilet and shower facilities
255 Birmingham Road has already been converted into five flats after being granted permission in 2019
A landlord trying to convert a back garden outbuilding into a separate residential property has been refused planning permission by Walsall Council.
The outbuilding at the rear of 255 Birmingham Road already has toilet and shower facilities.
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Applicant Mr S Ali said the building is currently being used as an office or playroom.
But as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, neighbour Jay Hussain claimed that a family has been living there since the outbuilding was completed.
Another resident living on Brookhouse Road, a cul-de-sac at the rear of the property, claims they have even had furniture deliveries sent to them as the outbuilding is without its own proper address.
The retrospective planning application, a type of application used after the work or change of use has already taken place, proposed Brookhouse Road as the access point to the new home.
Jay and other nearby residents had complained to Walsall Council about the ‘new home’ but said officers were unwilling to help.
The main property at 255 Birmingham Road has already been converted into five flats after being granted permission in 2019.
Mr Ali said the outbuilding ‘lends itself’ to conversion of a one bedroom flat.
But Walsall Council has refused permission on the grounds that it would not integrate with the streetscene, it would cause significant harm to the character and quality of the area, lack of amenity space, and lack of visual surveillance.