Five-bed HMO at 44 Francis Street, Plymouth

What was proposed

The application sought to change a dwellinghouse into a five-bed HMO, with no external alterations proposed.

“Proposal Description The proposal looks to convert the property from a dwellinghouse (Class C3) to a 5-bed HMO (Class C4). No external alterations to the property are proposed.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a terraced residential property in the St Peter and the Waterfront ward.

“Description of Site 44 Francis Street is a terraced residential property. The property falls within the St Peter and the Waterfront ward of the city.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended conditional approval, finding the proposal acceptable in principle, for neighbours and occupants, and for the highway network.

“DEV11 of the JLP sets a maximum threshold level of 10% HMOs, including the proposal, within a 100-metre radius of the application site. This is to ensure an adequate balance of residential character and community cohesion and avoid impacts such as parking, antisocial behaviour or noise, and disturbance. The Council's records show that there would be a level of 2.9% HMOs within 100m of the application site (including the proposal). This is below the 10% threshold level.”

“Conclusions and Reasons for Decision Officers have taken account of the NPPF and S38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and concluded that the proposal accords with policy and national guidance and is considered sustainable development - providing a 5-bed HMO in a suitable and sustainable location, without having a significant impact on the surrounding neighbours or highway network.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

consultees raised no objections, while the Highway Authority and Environmental Health recommended conditions on cycle storage and management matters.

“Consultation Responses Highway Authority - Raised no objections but recommended a condition pertaining to cycle storage.”

“Environmental Health - Raised no objections buy recommended conditions pertaining to the provision of a Management Plan and adherence to the Council's construction Code of Practice.”

Officer report

Public concerns

A public representation raised concerns about HMO policy compliance, noise, parking and bin storage.

“Representations A letter of representation from the public were received by Officers, alongside the Cllr's referral form. The following material concerns were raised:”

“- In-principle HMO-related concerns including non-compliance with the Article 4 Direction; - Noise concerns; - Parking concerns; - Bin storage concerns.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A planning officer presented the report to the committee.

The decision

The committee granted the application conditionally, as set out in the report.

“Following discussions, the Committee agreed to grant the application conditionally, as set out in the report:”

Minutes