Four-person HMO at 26 Albany Road, Blackwood

What was proposed

The application sought to change a three-bedroom house into a four-bedroom HMO for a maximum of four people, with a cycle store in the rear garden.

“Site description: The site consists of a mid-terrace, two storey house. The property is constructed of brick and rendered at first floor. The roof is concrete tiles and the windows and doors are white uPVC. The property benefits from a garage at the rear of the garden area, accessed via a rear lane. The property also benefits from a reasonable amount of outdoor amenity space.”

“Development: The application seeks full planning permission for the change of use of the property to a C4 use class HMO, with four bedrooms. The proposal includes reconfiguring the layout of the building to provide an additional bedroom at ground level and a slightly reconfigured bedroom layout at first floor level. The resulting ground floor would contain one bedroom, a living room and a kitchen. The first floor would contain three bedrooms and a bathroom.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a mid-terrace, two-storey house with a rear garage, outdoor space, three bedrooms and a bathroom.

“The property is accessed at ground floor, which contains a hallway, large living room and a kitchen. The first floor contains three bedrooms and a bathroom.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The transport manager and environmental health manager raised no objection, while Blackwood Town Council objected over highway safety, parking and pedestrian safety.

“Environmental Health Manager - No objection.”

“Blackwood Town Council - Objection: Due to highway safety concerns, lack of parking and pedestrian safety concerns.”

Officer report

Residents’ views

Eighty-eight objections, one supporting letter and a 172-signature petition were received, raising concerns including parking, noise, overcrowding, safety and antisocial behaviour.

“Response: 88 letters of objection were received at the time of drafting the report, along with one letter of support. A petition with 172 signatories was also received.”

“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. Should not be allowed, we should be able to feel safe. Surrounding properties would be devalued. The property is not big enough for 4 people to be living there.”

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 unanimously to approve the recommendation, with nine votes for, none against and no abstentions.

“Following consideration of the application it was moved and seconded that, subject to the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the recommendation be approved. By way of…”

“Microsoft Forms (and in noting there were 9 For, 0 Against and 0 Abstentions) this was unanimously agreed.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted subject to the conditions in the officer’s report and the listed bat advisory note.

“(i) Subject to the conditions contained in the Officer’s report, the application be GRANTED.”

“(ii) The applicant be advised of the following advisory notes:”

Minutes

Permission conditions

The conditions require timely commencement, compliance with approved plans, cycle parking and retention of the rear garage for vehicle parking.

“03) The development shall not be occupied until the cycle parking has been provided in the location identified for cycle parking on the approved plans. REASON: To ensure that the development is accessible by all modes of transport in the interests of sustainability in accordance with policy CW3 of the adopted Caerphilly County Borough Local Development Plan up to 2021.”

“04) Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town & Country Planning Act (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (or any Order revoking or re-enacting that Order) the existing garage at the rear of the property shall not be physically altered or converted to any other domestic purpose without the prior approval of the Local Planning Authority.”

Officer report