Four-room small HMO at 5 Gainsborough Terrace, Manor Road, Cheam

What was proposed

Permission was sought to retain the change from a residential dwelling to a four-room small HMO.

“The application seeks planning permission for the retention of the change of use from Class C3 (residential) to Class C4 (Small HMO) to provide 4 rooms.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a three-storey mid-terraced property in a mainly residential area, with shops nearby and poor public transport accessibility.

“The surrounding area is predominantly residential in character with a mixture of terraced, semi-detached and detached properties of different designs and ages. Most of the properties have previously been extended with dormers and one and two storey extensions of varying designs and sizes. To the immediate west of the site is a small parade of local shops along Upper Mulgrave Road.”

“The application site is located in an area with a Public Transport Access Level (PTAL) of 2 which represents poor public transport accessibility and the site is not located within a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the use provided housing, caused no external visual change, and created no undue harm to residents or highway safety.

“The development did not involve any external alterations to the existing building and therefore has not resulted in visual harm to the character and appearance of the site and the surrounding area.”

“The development has not resulted in any undue harm to the amenity of the neighbouring occupiers or future occupiers and has provided a good level of accommodation.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

There were 15 objections, two supporting responses, a 15-signature petition against, and no objections from the consulted specialist services.

“A petition against the proposal with 15 signatures has been received from occupiers of properties within the locality.”

“In addition, the Council’s Highways Team has reviewed the application and has raised no objection. See paragraphs 7.37 to 7.42 below. Anti Social Behaviour / crime The application would lead to anti-social behaviour and crime There is no evidence to suggest that the 4 room HMO has increased anti-social behavior and crime within the locality.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector addressed the committee, and the applicant replied; officers answered questions about HMOs, layout, parking and the retrospective application.

Members’ debate

Members discussed the need for affordable HMO housing, neighbouring HMOs, antisocial behaviour, waste and keeping the decision focused on land use.

“During the debate, members discussed the overarching need for HMOs, acknowledging they provided essential affordable housing options. Regarding the cumulative impact of having two HMOs next door to each other, officers reiterated that the local policy is designed to prevent a wider-scale concentration across a broader radius rather than banning adjacent properties.”

“While some concerns were repeated regarding potential antisocial behaviour and waste management, members noted that these issues were strictly governed by alternative civil and criminal laws rather than planning control.”

Minutes

The committee’s vote

The committee voted on the recommendation, with eight members supporting it and two opposing it.

“DM2026/00045 - 5 Gainsborough Terrace, Manor Road, Cheam, SM2 7AE (Committee Report) A poll vote on the officers’ recommendation to grant permission was held in accordance with Standing Order 31.4, when there voted: Councillor Jayne McCoy For Councillor Richard Clifton For Councillor James Appleby For Councillor Rukhsar Askari For…”

“Planning Committee 10 June 2026 10 Councillor Sue Ebanks For Councillor Sunil Kumar Against Councillor Cumar Sahathevan For Councillor Naveen Samrat For Councillor Alison Long Against Councillor Trish Fivey For Agreed…”

Minutes