Four-bedroom HMO at 25 Upper High Street, Rhymney, Tredegar

What was proposed

The application sought to change a dwelling into a four-bedroom house in multiple occupation, with a rear-garden bike store and no other alterations.

“House type: The host dwelling is a mid-terrace two storey dwelling. The dwelling is finished externally in render, the windows are uPVC, the front door is brown uPVC and the roof is concrete tiles. The dwelling faces Upper High Street, with its main access leading into the ground floor. Internally, the ground floor contains an entrance hall, lounge, dining room, kitchen and a bathroom. The first floor contains three bedrooms.”

“Development: The proposed development is to change the use of the dwelling from a C3 dwelling to a C4 House in Multiple Occupation. No internal or external alterations are proposed, however one of the reception rooms at ground floor would be used as a bedroom instead of a lounge. The proposed HMO would have 4 bedrooms. A bike store would be sited in the rear garden area.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Transport and environmental health officers raised no objection, while the community council objected and residents submitted 110 letters and a petition.

“Environmental Health Manager - No objection.”

“Rhymney Community Council - Objection: Due to unacceptable impact on neighbourhood and lack of transparency regarding the future occupiers.”

Officer report

Main concerns raised

Concerns included parking, noise, disruption, local facilities, fire escapes, antisocial behaviour, safeguarding, waste, transparency and loss of a family home.

“Summary of observations: The objections received can be summarised as follows: The proposal will impact an already difficult area for parking. Multiple persons living at this property will impact neighbours. The local facilities cannot cope with additional people. Noise and disruption would increase. There is a lack of fire escapes. The proposal will increase antisocial behaviour.”

“Greater strain on the Police. There is a school nearby. Safeguarding issues of school children. Increased number of people will increase waste. There has been a lack of transparency through the process. The accommodation should be used for a local need. Loss of a family home.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A local resident and the local ward member spoke against the application, while the agent spoke in support.

The committee vote

The committee agreed by a majority to defer the application for further information, with seven votes for, six against and one abstention.

“Following consideration of the application it was moved and seconded that the application be deferred for further information. By way of Microsoft Forms (and in noting there were 7 For, 6 Against and 1 Abstention) this was agreed by the majority present.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was deferred for further information.

“(i) the application be DEFERRED for further information.”

Minutes