BRIDGEND Council has approved plans for a new house in multiple occupation site based in the Cefn Glas area of Bridgend.
The application which was submitted retrospectively by developers at A & R James Assets was discussed by the council’s planning committee at a meeting held on September 19, 2024.
Here members heard how an application was brought forward for permission for a change of use at a property on Nant Ffornwg, Cefn Glas, from a three-bedroom residential house to a four bedroom house in multiple occupation or HMO.
The plans said that while the three-bedroom dwelling would not be altered externally, if it were approved it would contain one bedroom on the ground floor with a further three bedrooms on the first floor.
The report read: “The submitted plans show that the three-bedroom dwelling will not be altered externally to accommodate the change of use with one bedroom on the ground floor and a further three at first floor level.
“There would be a shared kitchen/diner, living room and bathroom on the ground floor, and a communal bathroom on the first floor.”
The report added that there had been some opposition to the plans with a total of 17 letters of objection received from the residents of Nant Ffornwg. These highlighted fears of parking issues as well as “additional pressure” that could be put on local services and infrastructure.
They also raised concerns over issues with anti-social behaviour at the site with police reportedly called to the property “multiple times” along with reports of “screaming into the late night” which prevented residents including children from being able to sleep.
However, officers at the meeting recommended the proposals for approval saying that on balance it complied with council policy and would have no adverse impacts on parking or residential amenity. The plans for the new HMO were later approved unanimously by members in attendance.
