Two one-bedroom flats at 10 Blake Street, Maerdy, Ferndale

“Full planning permission is sought for the subdivision of property into 2.no one-bedroom flats at 10 Blake Street, Maerdy, Ferndale.”

“The proposal would be facilitated through internal conversion only with both flats accessed via the existing front entrance off Blake Street. The change of use would provide the following layout:”

“The application property is a traditional mid-terrace dwelling located within a residential area of Maerdy. The property directly fronts the highway at Blake Street and benefits from an enclosed amenity space to the rear which is bounded on both sides by the rear garden areas of the adjoining properties and to the rear by an access lane. The area surrounding the side slopes from south to north with the ground level increasing towards the rear of the property.”

“The surrounding area is residential in nature and characterised by traditional terraced dwellings along Blake Street and blocks of flats to the rear (south) along Maerdy Road.”

“Members will note that this application follows the refusal of application 24/1306/FUL, for the conversion of the property to a 5 Bedroom House of Multiple Occupation, which came before Committee on the 6 th March earlier this year and was recently dismissed at appeal on grounds of substandard living accommodation.”

“24/1306/FUL 5-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Use Class C4) Decision: Refused, 09/04/25 Appeal: Dismissed, 01/10/25”

“REASONS: The proposed development is acceptable in principle and involves the subdivision of an existing residential property to provide 2no. residential units in a sustainable location within settlement limits. In addition, the proposal is not considered to result in any adverse impact upon highway safety, the amenity of surrounding properties or the character and appearance of the area.”

“The Council’s Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) for the Development of Flats – Conversions and New Build advises that flats are unlikely to be acceptable where they are located solely in basements, or where habitable rooms would only have roof light windows. It also requires flats to have easy and safe access for all users and advises that access through rear lanes and entrances around the backs of buildings should be avoided wherever possible.”

“The submitted information indicates 3 bedrooms in the existing dwelling. In accordance with the Council’s SPG governing off-street parking requirements, a 3+ bedroom dwelling within Parking Zone 3 has an off-street parking requirement of 3 spaces. There are currently no off-street parking spaces serving the dwelling, resulting in a shortfall of 3 spaces.”

“The nature of the application which follows the refusal of a previous HMO application and appeal strongly suggest a speculative and profit driven approach, designed to maximise rental yield or resale value, rather than a proposal motivated by long-term needs of the local community. • The management doesn't live locally which could pose various problems in terms of managing the property.”

“Blake Street is home to a number of elderly residents and this proposal would significantly disrupt their lives. • Noise and Disturbance • Would create additional waste collection demands. • External alterations may detract from the properties façade and impact upon the character of the area. • Would result in the permanent loss of a family home.”

“The Head of Major Development and Investment presented the application to Committee and following consideration it was RESOLVED to approve the application in accordance with the recommendation of the Director, Prosperity and Development, subject to an additional condition requiring details of the bin storage to be submitted for approval by the local planning authority.”