Small HMO for five residents at 45 The Frithe, Slough

“The application is made under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act and seeks to remove condition 7 of planning application P/20778/001 dated 08/07/2025.”

“The intention, as set out in the description of the development and the supporting statement submitted with the application is to allow the property to operate as a small House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) under Use Class C4, accommodating up to five unrelated individuals.”

“The property is an extended two storey, mid-terrace dwelling on the east side of The Frithe, which is a predominantly residential area of similar building typologies. There is no vehicle crossover from the highway to the front of the property where it is set beyond the highway verge and pavement and there is a bus stop to the front of the property.”

“For completeness, it should be noted that the site is not located in an Air Quality Management Quality Management Area (AQMA), a high risk Flood Zone or a Conservation Area. It is also not identified as a heritage asset or located within close proximity to a heritage asset and there are no trees under a Tree Preservation Order in close proximity.”

“P/20778/001 Construction of a single storey rear extension and part first floor rear extension & proposed drop kerb at front. Approved with Conditions 08-Jul-2025.”

“As originally proposed the application included a new vehicle crossover from the highway to enable parking for two vehicles to the front of the property. However, following discussions this officer had with the Local Highways Authority and the Council’s Tree Officer it was concluded that it would not be feasible to put a dropped crossing so close to the existing street tree as the excavation for the crossing would involve severe damage to the trees roots, which is…”

“Condition 7 (Sub-division/use in multiple occupation) of planning permission P/20778/001 dated 08/07/2025 is necessary to allow the Local Planning Authority the opportunity to assess the effects of a more intensive use of the property on matters around housing provision, road and highway safety, the amenities of adjoining residents that may arise from a more intensive use of the property.”

“Furthermore, Condition 7 is deemed to comply with the six tests set out in paragraph 57 of the National Planning Policy Framework and therefore the condition is sound, reasonable and there are no grounds for its removal. The removal of the condition would be contrary to Policy T2 of The Adopted Local Plan for Slough 2004.”

“The development would result in a significantly increased number of occupants compared to a typical family dwelling, without the provision of any off-street car parking. In this location, future occupiers would reasonably be expected to rely on private vehicles to a greater extent. The absence of on-site parking would therefore lead to increased pressure for on-street parking within along The Frithe and the surrounding residential area.”

“Given the existing parking conditions on the road and in the vicinity and the predominantly residential character of the area, the proposal would give rise to additional on-street parking stress, inconsiderate parking, and obstruction as witnessed during the site visit. This would be detrimental to highway safety, the free flow of traffic, and the convenience of existing residents.”

“SBC Highways Officer has conducted visits to site and observed the area experiences high levels of on-street car parking. Other than the bus stop caged areas - with one immediately in front of the application site, there are no restrictions in terms of parking on the road, such as limited parking stay or controlled parking zone / permit parking. It is also noted that the area has a high level of car ownership when analysed against available census data.”

“Local Plan Policy T2 requires residential development to provide a level of parking appropriate to its location which will overcome road safety problems. As such, when considering the above, the proposal would be in conflict with Policy T2 and the NPPF. There is no immediately obvious mitigation which would be effective in addressing the harm of increasing parking demand and affording no off street car parking spaces.”

“Application Removal of condition 7 (Shall be used only in conjuction wih the existing house and shall not be sub divided or used in multiple occupation) of planning application P/20778/001 dated 08/07/2025. (To remove Condition 7 to allow the property to be used as a small HMO (Use Class C4) for up to five residents) Decision Delegate to the Planning Manager to refuse.”