Plans to increase capacity at Hightown HMO granted on appeal

Plans to increase the capacity of house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Hightown have been granted on appeal.

The application to increase the number of residents able to live at 46 Beechley Road from six to eight were rejected by planning committee members in November 2019.

Speaking at the meeting, Hermitage councillor Graham Rogers argued that the “proposed development would result in an over-concentration to the detriment of the social fabric of the area.”

Members of the Beechley Road Residents’ Association also wrote to planning committee members to highlight issues with noise from the HMO properties.

Although the plans had been backed by the council’s chief planning officer, 15 members of the committee voted to refuse the application over a lack of parking and issues with overspilling bins on the street, which is already home to several HMOs.

However a bid to overturn the decision was later lodged on behalf of the applicant Andrew Shield, who said he wanted to allow couples to live in two of the rooms to meet the demand for accommodation in the area.

The plans have now been given the go ahead by Planning Inspector Claire MacFarlane, who says that she considers that six bedroom HMO to be in a “sustainable location where residents would not necessarily be reliant on car ownership to meet their everyday needs.”

Addressing the concerns about increased congestion in the area, MacFarlane continues onto say: “Representations from the community council and local residents indicate that the surrounding area experiences a high level of parking demand and, at the time of my visit, I observed a considerable number of vehicles parked along both sides of Beechley Road.

“Although an increase in parking demand can result in inappropriate parking and impede the flow of traffic, due to the marginal potential increase in demand and having regard to the unrestricted nature of parking in the surrounding roads, I conclude that the proposal would not cause significant harm to highway safety, with regard to parking.”

She adds: “Comments have been made regarding the increase in HMOs and their impact on surrounding areas, however the property already operates as an HMO and would therefore not contribute to an increase in the number of such properties.

“Concerns have also been raised regarding noise, anti-social behaviour, waste collection and the appearance of the property.

“However, such issues are largely outside the control of the planning system and can be addressed through other mechanisms.

“The proposal would make adequate provision for external space, including bin storage, in line with the requirements of the Council’s adopted Local Planning Guidance Note No. 5 ‘Houses in Multiple Occupation’”.