COUNCILLORS have opposed plans for an HMO in the Rhondda with nearly 50 public objections too.
The application for a five-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Blake Street, Maerdy, went before Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT)’s planning committee on Thursday, March 6, which voted against it.
The reasons given were parking concerns, substandard living in relation to the bathroom, kitchen and living space, waste management concerns, that it was detrimental to the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, noise and disturbance for neighbouring properties and that it was not in a sustainable location.
Because the vote was against officer recommendations to approve it, it will come back to a future planning committee for the strengths and weaknesses of making such a decision to be considered.
The plan is for the conversion to be carried out through a number of indoor alterations only with no outdoor works to the property required or proposed.
The HMO would have an entrance hallway, kitchen/diner, bedroom, bathroom and toilet on the ground floor and four bedrooms at first floor level.
The garden area to the rear of the property would be kept for use as an amenity space, the report said.
There were 11 letters of objection and a petition signed by 46 individuals opposing the development.
Some of their concerns were around the impact on the residential character of the area, parking and traffic issues, potential for anti-social behaviour, noise and disturbance, safety and security concerns, inadequate waste management and insufficient living space and amenities.
But in recommending approval, planning officers said the proposed change of use would not result in an adverse impact upon the character of the site or highway safety.
They also said that since the new use would still be a residential one, occupying a sustainable location, it would be considered to be compatible with the surrounding land uses.
Councillor Jayne Smith, a local councillor for Ferndale and Maerdy, said: “I’m really not happy with this application at all.
“It does appear to be another profit-based application where the maximum is being squeezed out of a small residential terraced property.”
She said she wouldn’t want to live there and she wouldn’t want any residents in her ward living in what she considered to be sub-standard accommodation.
She said: “This is an overdevelopment leading to lack of amenity space and not in a sustainable location.”
