Neighbours have labelled plans for a home on their street a 'nightmare' ahead of a final decision by a Nottinghamshire council. A plan to rearrange the downstairs and add a loft dormer extension to a house on Chandos Street, Netherfield so it can be used it as a seven bedroom house of multiple occupancy (HMO), has been recommended for approval at Gedling Borough Council's planning committee on September 7.
A motion to introduce changes to reduce houses of multiple occupancy was previously heard at at a Gedling Borough Council meeting on April 20. At this meeting the principle of making of an Article 4 Direction for Netherfield, which would have enabled the council to further scrutinise plans for HMO conversion, was referred to cabinet.
But on June 16, a cabinet meeting found there was "insufficient evidence" to make Article 4 necessary, with members agreeing to monitor HMOs in Netherfield. Locals yet again expressed concerns about HMOs being set up in response to the Chandos Street plans - despite a recent council assessment finding there were just seven such large HMOs in the town.
Read more: Concern over Netherfield HMO plan neighbours say will take away another family home
Laura Worall, 39, who lives on Chandos Street, said: “If it will have seven bedrooms, I think it’s going to be a nightmare.
“I think there’s already multiple HMOs in this area as well. If students move in and will cause chaos, that’s also going to be a bit of a nightmare.
“It will probably also lead to a lot of fly-tipping. They should just turn it into a family home - There’s too much student accommodation going on anyway, it’s not needed.”
Gavin Wetherbed, 49, a postman from Netherfield thought the area was overcrowded. He said: “I think it’s a really bad idea. All the houses around this area are terraced houses, they’re too condensed.
“There’s just not enough room for everybody. Fly-tipping would also probably be an issue - I’m a postman, I deliver in town, so I see all sorts of rubbish dumped.”
During the planning process, 24 letters of objection were received as well as a petition which has been signed by 60 residents. These residents opposed the perceived high number of HMOs in the area and expressed views that the plans would not benefit the local community.
However, a recent assessment of Netherfield's housing stock of 2915 residential properties concluded only 0.24 per cent (seven properties) were HMOs accommodating more than five unrelated individuals.
Jenny Williams, 63, a children’s home carer from Carlton, had a different view, adding: “I don’t live on this street but if they would do that where I live I wouldn’t mind it, I don’t have a problem with it.”
Nottinghamshire County Council (Highway Authority) had no objections to the change but noted the existing house relies on on street parking only. They stated that while parking on the street was not a road safety issue, inconvenience could be caused to existing residents.
A planning officer, who recommended Gedling Borough Council's planning committee approve the plan, noted the concerns of neighbours but said the plan would not have an 'undue impact' on neighbouring properties. They added: "In my opinion the use of the existing property, together with the proposed loft conversion, as a HMO will result in no undue impact onto the amenity of neighbouring properties. Whilst there would be seven bedrooms provided at the property, facilities in the property are shared by the residents and therefore the occupants would be effectively living as one residence.
"Whilst I note the concerns of neighbouring residents in respect to the fact that the use would not be as a ‘family home’ and the proposed use would affect what existing residents consider to be a ‘family area’ with the use adversely affecting the community in the area, I can see no justification for this assertion. The use of the property as a HMO as proposed, whilst I accept would be different from a conventional ‘family home’, is supported through Policy 8 of the Aligned Core Strategy and LPD37, as above, which states that residential development should contribute to a mix of housing tenures, types and sizes to create sustainable, inclusive and mixed communities.
"This proposed development would provide accessible accommodation for tenants in a very sustainable location, close to public transport links and local amenities and would provide a mixed community." Applicant Justin Ingrey declined to comment on the opposition to the plans, stating the points in favour of the plans would be highlighted at the Gedling Borough Council planning committee.
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