Rhosddu HMO approved by Cardiff Planning Inspectorate despite rejection by Wrexham councillors

Plans to convert a vacant property in Rhosddu into a HMO have been allowed on appeal in Cardiff – despite being initially rejected by councillors in Wrexham.

The house, located at No. 36 Rhosddu Road, is currently vacant and has been described as being in a state of disrepair.

An application to convert the property into a one bedroom self-contained flat and a five bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO) were submitted to Wrexham Council in September 2017.

Currently the building consists of a living room, dining room and a former kitchen and shower room at basement level. Two bedrooms and a further kitchen area are on the ground floor entrance level and a further three bedrooms and bathroom at the first level.

However in the application submitted to Wrexham Council it was proposed that a “remodelling of the building” took place, which would include the installation of a new external staircase to provide access to the basement level. This would create a one bedroom apartment consisting of a kitchen and dining area, large living room, bedroom, shower room and utility.

The ground floor would be converted into the HMO element, comprising of three bedrooms and a communal bathroom. On the first floor there would be two further bedrooms with an en suite and a communal kitchen.

The plans had initially been recommended for approval by the head of environment and planning at Wrexham Council, who stated in his report at the time that there were “no justifiable reasons for refusal”.

But the application was refused by planning committee members amid concerns of the number of HMOs located within such a small area.

This decision was challenged by the applicants, who submitted an appeal objecting to the committee’s verdict on the application.

Documents released last week confirmed that the application has been granted on appeal by The Planning Inspectorate.

In his report, Planning Inspector Iwan Lloyd, says: “Where planning permission is required and sought for development of this type, the determination must be made in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

“I consider the development complies with the development plan notably UDP Policy H4. I note the concerns of residents on parking, but none turn me away from my conclusion on the main issue.

“I have considered the duty to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales, in accordance with the sustainable development principle, under section 3 of the Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (the WBFG Act).

“In reaching my decision, I have taken into account the ways of working set out at section 5 of the WBFG Act and I consider that this decision is in accordance with the sustainable development principle through its contribution towards one or more of the Welsh Ministers’ well-being objectives set out in section 8 of the WBFG Act.

“Having regard to all matters raised I find that the balance of considerations indicates that permission should be granted. The suggested conditions relate to the standard conditions on implementation of the permission and the approved plans.”