Councillors slammed for ‘political decision’ to refuse plans to increase capacity of Wrexham HMO as appeal is launched

Councillors have been slammed for their “political decision” to refuse plans to increase the capacity of a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Wrexham.

An application to increase the number of bedrooms at the property in Rhosddu from six to seven was rejected by Wrexham Council’s planning committee in March.

It followed concerns being raised by politicians over the impact on parking and road safety on Stansty Road, where the bedsit is located.

Blue Column Properties, which is behind the proposals, has now appealed to the Planning Inspectorate to have the decision overturned.

Consultants acting on the company’s behalf have accused committee members of failing to use “sound planning judgement” after they ignored the recommendation of officers to approve the scheme.

In an appeal statement, they said: “The application is to change the use of the property from a six bed HMO to a seven bed HMO.

“Even if eight bedrooms were being proposed, the proposal would still only require an additional one parking space as stated by the case officer.

“The applicants provided a revised site plan showing a parking space provided in the grounds of the property and the application was recommended for approval.

“The planning history has already accepted the provision of a six bed HMO in the locality and the addition of one bedroom, improved internal accommodation, and an additional parking space will not alter the situation in the locality to any degree that would warrant a refusal.

“The planning department of Wrexham Council has stood wholeheartedly behind the application and the decision to refuse is a political one, and not made with any sound planning judgement.”

The consultants said there would be no visual impact as any alterations to the building would be internal.

They said council officer responsible for overseeing the case had stressed the area does not suffer from a lack of parking.

They also pointed to a lack of new housing in Wrexham as a reason why the proposals should be approved.

A decision will be made on the appeal by an inspector appointed by the Welsh Government at a later date.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter