Rhosddu HMO plans rejected over parking and amenity space concerns

Proposals to convert a terraced house in Rhosddu into a HMO for eight residents have been refused by councillors.

Planning committee members last night backed a motion to reject plans for the property in Park Street amid concerns of lack of parking and amenity space.

The application had proposed that the property was converted into a five-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) for eight residents.

Objections had been raised by several neighbours who fear that tenants would be ‘crammed in’ and may include substance abusers. The council’s highways department said it was also against the scheme because it did not include enough parking spaces.

However the application had been recommended for approval by Wrexham Council’s head of environment and planning.

Speaking at yesterday’s meeting Grosvenor councillor Marc Jones said he had concerns about the lack of parking and existing issues in the Park Street area – along with a lack of amenity space for residents.

Cllr Jones said: “Anyone who knows Park Street will know that ironically given its name, it is one of the worst places in Wrexham to park. It is a one way street, it’s probably the narrowest street in Wrexham and people have to drive on the pavement to get past.

“If you don’t know the place you would not believe how narrow that road is. It is impossible to get past in a van if there is a van parked there. The curb stones are cracked, it’s not safe.

“A household of two adults and a number of children who may be of driving age would have far fewer cars or vehicles than with eight adults in. If those eight adults are in work it is more than likely they will need cars of vehicles to get to their place of work.

“Regardless of what anyone says, public transport in Wrexham is inadequate.”

He added: “Our own planning guidance states that a HMO with more than seven people needs amenity space for an external drive, bike storage and bin storage of a minimum of 30sqm. The backyard amounts fo 24sqm.

“There may be an attempt to use the front of the house as additional amenity space but is it little bigger than this desk – it is not a usable piece of space.”

Cllr Jones proposed that that application was refused on grounds of inadequate parking and amenity space.

Cllr I David Bithell, who represents the adjoining Stansty ward, said he would not be supporting the application and supported the recommendation.

Committee members unanimously backed the recommendation to reject the plans.