Plans to allow 14 people to live in Wrexham HMO approved on appeal

Plans to almost double the number of people living in a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Wrexham have been approved on appeal.

Landlord Andrew Shields wanted to create seven double bedrooms at a property on Erddig Road to boost the amount of tenants he could accommodate from eight to fourteen.

His application was rejected by councillors in September because of concerns over a shortage of parking spaces on the road, which is close to the town centre.

However, their decision has now been overturned by a planning inspector appointed by the Welsh Government.

In her report, Claire MacFarlane said most people living in HMOs did not own a would use other methods of travel instead.

She said: “The appeal property is located within relatively easy walking distance to Wrexham town centre, where there is access to a range of services and public transport.

“As such, I consider it to be a sustainable location where residents would not necessarily be reliant on car ownership to meet their everyday needs.

“Taking into account the parking requirements of local planning guidance note 16, the evidence of a generally low level of car ownership in HMOs and the sustainable location of the appeal property, I consider that any additional parking demand resulting from the proposed increase in residents would be limited.

“Representations from local residents indicate that the surrounding area experiences a high level of parking demand and, although there was little evidence at the time of my visit to indicate it is an area of parking stress, I acknowledge that this will vary throughout the day and evening and in response to occupancy levels.

“Although an increase in parking demand can result in inappropriate parking and impede the flow of traffic, in the circumstances set out above and having regard to the unrestricted nature of parking in the surrounding roads, I do not consider that there would, in this case, be significant harm caused in respect of highway safety.”

Wrexham Council’s planning committee threw the proposals out despite a recommendation for approval from officers after being told of issues with rubbish piling up outside the house.

Local resident Richard Fogg told councillors he was also worried about the potential for overcrowding if the proposals went ahead.

In response, Ms MacFarlane said the suitability of the accommodation was not a planning matter.

She added she had imposed a condition relating to the provision of bin storage.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme)