A COUNCILLOR who strongly objected to the plans to convert offices into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) has warned that the area is becoming overdeveloped with such properties.
Cllr Damien O’Connor, who submitted an objection to the planning application for 69A Park Road, Fingerpost, which proposed changing the use of the building from offices to a four‑bedroom HMO.
Speaking about the proposal, which was granted planning approval, Cllr O’Connor said he was “strongly and vigorously objecting” to what he described as "yet another HMO" in the Park Road and Fingerpost and Pocket Nook area.
“This would be an overdevelopment of HMOs on Park Road,” said the Peasley Cross and Fingerpost ward councillor.
“There is a place for HMOs, but we can’t allow this concentration of that many in one area. They need to be spread out to other areas.”
The councillor has raised concerns about the wider impact on the local community, arguing that the proposal would create an imbalance in the area’s demographic.
“This application for a HMO would bring a disproportionate balance to the demographic of our local community here in Fingerpost, which is one of the most deprived areas in the country,” he added.
Cllr O’Connor highlighted recent funding secured for the area, saying the focus should be on regeneration that benefits existing residents and encourages families to move back into the neighbourhood.
“Because of this deprivation, we have just received the news last month that we have £20million coming to the area from the Government’s Pride in Place funding to help offset this,” added Cllr O'Connor, who said he had long campaigned for investment in Fingerpost.
He added that residents had already shared their priorities for how the funding should be used, including improvements to housing, the Fingerpost Shopping Parade and the creation of a new community hub.
Cllr O’Connor stressed that the funding must be community‑led, in line with government requirements.
“The money will be spent and led by the people of the area,” he said. “That is what the government stipulates, and I will further promise that this is what will happen.”
Referring back to the planning application, he added: “We don’t want more HMOs like these as part of our regeneration.
"We want our community to prosper and have more families coming back to the area, and to help our local residents who are here.”
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