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Two councillors have voiced ‘strong concerns’ over a new planning proposal for Rhymney town centre. 

Councillors Carl Cuss and David Harse have written to the council to oppose plans to turn 16 High Street into a five-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO). 

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

Labour representatives Cllr Cuss and Cllr Harse, who represent the Twyn Carno ward and Moriah and Pontloyttyn respectively, wrote to the council’s head of regeneration and planning.

They cited worries that the “amount of HMOs being proposed in the area” was leading to a lack of “traditional family properties”. 

In the letter seen by Caerphilly Observer, the councillors wrote: “We accept there is a need across the borough for single occupancy accommodation, however, we are concerned with the increase in this type of accommodation in such close proximity. 

“We already have other businesses and organisations running emergency housing schemes/HMOs in the area of Rhymney High Street and expanding this HMO would increase the level significantly. Several residents have stated to us, enough is enough.” 

The councillors also raise the ongoing ‘social’ problems in the town – adding that “some” of these problems have “come from this type of accommodation”. 

They continued: “We feel this will add to the social issues currently being experienced by residents in the area.

“High Street does have conservation area status and I feel the overconcentration of this type of development will have an impact on the conservation area.  

“We feel there are too many HMO rooms being proposed within the size of the building and we would like to question have they strictly adhered to the definition of the C4-classed HMO.” 

What is being proposed at 16 High Street?

Bajrangi Developments Ltd, a Cardiff-based company, has applied to change 16 High Street into an HMO.

Documents filed with the council indicate there will be a double bedroom on the ground floor, along with two double bedrooms on both the first and second floors.

There will be two communal bathrooms, one with a shower and one with a bath. 

The application can be viewed on the Caerphilly County Borough Council website under reference 24/0152/COU.