Planners have criticised plans to convert a Solihull family home into a four-bedroom HMO and commercial office. The applicant now faces an anxious wait to learn if the scheme will be given approval at a future meeting of Solihull Council’s planning committee.

The property in Streetsbrook Road is currently a two-storey semi-detached residential property. Applicant, Gurdev Sondh, is applying to change the property into a house of multiple occupation and convert the garage into a commercial office.

As previously reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service 27 objections were made by residents to the scheme who raised various issues including noise and difficult and insufficient parking. The scheme went before the committee’s latest meeting and, in the public speaking section, Councillor Mark Parker – who had called the application into the committee – said: “To convert a much needed family home in a suburban setting to a four bedroom property with commercial unit, opening seven days a week, is not appropriate.

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“The parking situation will worsen on an already congested road. I do not think this will be a good neighbour.

“I believe it will not meet local need.” In the planning application the applicant had said “four dedicated parking spaces” were planned on the site.

During the presentation of the scheme to the committee Kim Allen, planning officer, said: “We have received an updated parking plan. The difference is the parking spaces are now laid out in a chevron style.

“It demonstrates these four spaces could be easily accessed and any vehicle using them could reverse and leave in forward gear.” But Bob Grinsell, chairman of the committee, said he was “not happy”.

“There is a dwarf wall – that would make it virtually impossible to manoeuvre (turn round) and drive out in a forward gear. We are given a plan at the 11th hour which we have not had the opportunity to investigate.”

Paul Tovey, the authority’s head of highway management, said: “Custom practice appears to be driving in and reversing out at that property and neighbouring properties. Physically there is space to reverse off the highway into that premises – it is down to the driver’s choice.”

Members of the committee also raised whether members of staff at the new office, and visitors to the business, could use the car park causing further highway issues. Jon Hallam, Solihull Councils team leader (area planning) said: “In my view, and the view of officers, one space for the office, three for the HMO would be acceptable.”

Councillor Dave Pinwell said: “I’m getting confused. What I thought we were being told – four parking spaces for the HMO and no parking whatsoever allowed for the commercial office.”

At this point Ms Allen warned: “There is a fallback position here for the applicant. This house could be converted without any planning permission to a HMO of six bedrooms – that could happen tomorrow.

“The reason the application is in front of you is the property would take on two different uses.” The chairman then said: “Streetsbrook Road is relatively narrow.

“There is a keep clear sign painted outside that property. It cannot be kept clear if vehicles are coming in and out.”

Coun Pinwell suggested deferring the decision to give councillors time to consider all the new information and this was voted in favour when put to the vote. The meeting was held at the Civic Suite on Wednesday, (November 7).