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Chambers House is a former council office building which in recent years has served as a base for the Gwent Drug and Alcohol Service and as a small business centre.

In March last year its owners Lilyalex Properties Limited changed the use to a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) to provide emergency accommodation for ten homeless people.

A HMO is accommodation run by a private landlord with bedrooms rented out to unrelated tenants who share facilities.

The change of use did not need planning permission because the Welsh Government granted local authorities across Wales including Caerphilly County Borough Council emergency powers to keep residents safe during the pandemic.

At the time, Dave Street, Head of Social Services at the council, said at a meeting with residents that if Caerphilly Council did not use the accommodation, then the landlord could go to other local authorities and offer the property.

Mr Street also said tenants would be risk-assessed before moving in.

Application for a permanent HMO submitted

Now, a planning application has been submitted by Oliver-Thomas Consultancy, on behalf of Lilyalex Properties Limited, to make it a permanent HMO and increase the number of tenants to 22.

According to Companies House, Lilyalex Properties is owned by Caerphilly businessmen Richard Jasper and Craig Coombs.

Lilyalex Properties is also responsible for Y Fron Guesthouse in Pwllypant, which was also changed to emergency accommodation for homeless people in October 2020.

The Chambers House HMO and its proposed expansion is a cause of concern for those living on Blackwood Road.

Carl Postians, who lives next door to the property, believes it should be classed as a hostel – as this would ensure the property is supervised 24/7 by staff.

Mr Postians said: “I totally understand the need for social housing and keeping people off the streets – I would rather people live next door than under the tree over the street – but it needs to be managed properly.

“Security for us is paramount.”

‘HMOs can be more intensive than single households’

Deborah Llewellyn who also lives on Blackwood Road said she has experienced stress and anxiety at the thought of who could be living in the property.

A report published in May 2021 by Welsh Government said due to the nature of HMOs – residents on low incomes and/or from vulnerable group who are likely to be unrelated – they can be more “intensive” than single household use.

Ward councillor for Pontllanfraith, Colin Gordon, said: “Since the first person moved in to the accommodation, I personally haven’t had any complaints from residents.

“It’s unfortunate that we require places like this and not every person that goes in there is a criminal.”

But Cllr Gordon added that he would be “more than happy” to speak on behalf of residents if the application was to go to the planning committee.

Mr Postians said it’s not only the security of existing residents that is a concern but the future tenants.

He said: “It’s unlikely they know each other, they’re going to be vulnerable, there is a potential for anti-social behaviour with 22 tenants.”

Ms Llewellyn said: “I think it should be used as an office building or they should knock it down and build a family house.

“It is not fit for purpose. The council should have purpose-built HMOs.”

The property is currently used as temporary accommodation, the additional rooms are intended for long-term residents.

The proposed plans are for nine studio apartments that include a bed, kitchen and bathroom. In addition to the current three bedrooms with a kitchenette and seven regular bedrooms that share two shower rooms, two bathrooms and one kitchen.

Some of the studios are labelled as having the capacity for two people, therefore there could be up to 22 people living at the property.

Pontllanfraith councillor Mike Adams said he could not comment directly on the application because he is a member of the planning committee, but added, that the council had an obligation to get people off the streets.

Fellow ward councillor Cllr Gez Kirby, who is not on the planning committee, refused to comment when contacted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The planning application is expected to go to the committee for a decision, but this has not been confirmed.

Statement from Lilyalex Properties

In a statement, Craig Coombs from Lilyalex Properties said the company had been working closely with Caerphilly County Borough Council for several years “looking for innovative housing options for homeless or potentially homeless people”.

He said: “Chambers House HMO has been occupied since July 2021. Working alongside multiple agencies we have ensured the facility has been well managed and the building has been kept in good order.

“The ongoing plan for the chambers will be to continue operating the project in this way.

“Lilyalex Properties continues to locate affordable accommodation and to provide a long term housing solution for those who need it.

“If approved the additional nine units of accommodation will provide long term permanent accommodation in the private rented sector. These will be managed by the Caerphilly keys team.”

Mr Coombs added that his company aims to be “transparent” with all neighbours. He said they have been provided with his email address and contact numbers, and that they are monitored 24 hours, seven-days-a-week.