Fear over crime sees chapel conversion blocked
A BLACK Country council has been backed in its decision to reject conversion of a disused Victorian chapel into 14 flats.
The Government’s planning inspector, Andrew Owen, has upheld Walsall Council’s decision to refuse the conversion of the Providence Chapel in New Road, Willenhall.
Built in 1879, it was used until 2008 when it closed as a result of a dwindling congregation.
Developers Jamil and Anila Hashim, from London, had lodged the appeal after the council’s planning committee threw out their application to turn the building into a house of multiple occupation (HMO) in July.
But the appeal was soundly rejected, partly on police evidence that 56 per cent of HMOs had a ‘police incident’ attached to them.
In an already high crime area, Mr Owen concluded that fear of a rise in crime or anti-social behaviour as a result of the conversion “is not unreasonable”.
Almost 250 residents had signed a petition against the plan and there was also concern over the impact on two protected mature sycamore trees on the site.
Walsall Council leader Coun Sean Coughlan (Willenhall South) said: “I’m delighted that the Planning Inspectorate has upheld the committee’s original decision to reject the HMO application.
“We took a bold step earlier this year and it was my decision to call in this application because of the concerns raised by local residents.
“This area already has a significant parking problem that will only get worse with the arrival of this development.
“The inspector also upheld the fear of crime element, which was supported by evidence from the police.
“This is the first time such evidence has been presented to the inspector and I understand proved to be a compelling factor in the decision.”
He said that, as a result, future HMO applications would require detailed management plans around tenant behaviour.
“This sends a message to prospective developers that Walsall is raising the threshold of what represents an acceptable HMO in the borough and the need for applicants to be mindful of the concerns of neighbours and the local community,” he said.
He added that they recognised the building as locally important and would work with developers to find a suitable scheme which was appropriate for the community and protected the area’s heritage.