Birmingham Road resident Jay Hussain is one of the individuals who has reported several alleged breaches to the authority.
He says one property on Birmingham Road, currently in use as an HMO, has had a two-storey outbuilding built in the rear garden, after being granted permission to build a single storey garage.
Jay says after months of complaining, Walsall Council has now written to the owner giving them 28 days to comply with the original planning permission.
Next door to the first property, there is another outbuilding in the back garden which Jay says is being used as a self-contained residential home for a family with separate access from the rear.
Jay and other neighbours have made complaints to the council about the ‘new home’ but said officers are unwilling to help.
The owner of the property has now submitted a retrospective planning application to Walsall Council to convert the outbuilding into a self-contained dwelling.
Finally, in another house on the same street, residents have reported business activity from a residential home. The council did open an enforcement case into the matter in January.
But Jay says nothing has changed since then and while the alleged breaches do cause frustration, he says residents’ anger is now directed towards the council’s ‘inaction’.
Jay said: “As residents, we’re not sure which breach we’ve got the biggest problem with, but we are most bothered by the council. We feel so helpless.
“There’s multiple issues involving planning breaches, trading breaches, and community impact. And to undermine all of that is the apathy by the council.
“We’re law abiding, we pay a huge amount of council tax on this street. On the few occasions that we ring them, they either don’t respond, or if they do, it’s wishy washy.
“I spoke to the councillor complaints officer and asked why the senior management people never ring back. They told me they generally don’t get involved with the public. I find that astonishing and it just perpetuates the ivory tower.
“The council is operating outside of its mandate by not fulfilling statutory duties. We expect our authorities to do what they’re there to do – support residents and engage, it’s basic stuff. That’s the bare minimum we expect but they simply don’t want to talk to us.”
A spokesperson for Walsall Council said: “We are continuing our investigations into the matters raised by residents and have provided a number of detailed responses on the processes being followed, including a formal complaints process which has now concluded.
“The national planning system allows the submission of retrospective planning applications, and we have a duty to determine what is before us. We are also maintaining communication with relevant property owner(s) to seek to address any outstanding matters where they fall within the remit of the powers available to us.
“A cross-service approach has been taken between our planning, highways, housing standards and community protection teams to provide residents with a comprehensive position and update on all matters.
“Despite council officers reviewing the complaints and visiting the location, we’ve been clear about the issues that we do not currently have sufficient evidence to pursue any action on, namely the traffic and parking issues and anti-social behaviour. Evidence will continue to be collected where appropriate to inform any next steps or necessary future review of the matters raised.”