Student digs will become homeless hostel

Former Perry Barr student accommodation to be turned into homeless hostel

Tom Dare - Local Democracy Reporter | Saturday 8th January 2022 11:39am

A former student accommodation block in Perry Barr will be turned into a homeless hostel for families – despite the objections of residents.

The plans will see Oscott Gardens, a former student accommodation complex of 62 flats, turned into a ‘hostel accommodation for homeless families for a temporary period of six years’.

Each flat will be comprised of a living/kitchen area with either 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 en-suite bedrooms. The site provides a total of 414 bedrooms, and the centre would be operated by the city council and employ 59 persons on site.

The proposals were passed despite the concerns of several local residents and Councillor Morriam Jan (Lib Dem) – with 10 letters of objection raising the following concerns:

However, officers for the council dismissed concerns writing: “The council's records show only 1 out of 81 properties within 100m radius of the application site is recorded as a HMO.

“I also note there are no current planning enforcement investigations with regard alleged HMO uses within Oscott Road and no planning permission's, post 1990, for change of use of dwellings to HMOs.

“In addition, the police have visited the proposed premises. Consequently, the police raise no objection subject to safeguarding conditions including CCTV, lighting and security.”

The issue was discussed by the council’s planning committee on October 14.

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