HMO conversion plan rejected again over flood risk fears

Plans for a HMO in Ystrad Mynach have been rejected for a second time over flooding concerns.

Caerphilly County Borough Council officers judged applicant Tony Jordon’s proposals for the conversion of 36 Penallta Road constituted a “highly vulnerable development”.

Like their refusal of Mr Jordon’s original bid earlier this year, the planners said the new proposals “failed to adequately address the impacts of flooding on the development”.

Designs show the property was previously used for offices, but under the proposed change of use could have been transformed into a five-bed HMO (house in multiple occupation).

HMOs are typically properties for between three and six single, unrelated adults who have their own private bedrooms but share other communal areas.

In this case, plans show two bedrooms would have been created on the ground floor along with a bathroom and toilet, while upstairs there would be another three bedrooms, a bathroom and a refuge area.

In a supporting statement, planning agents at Creation Design-Wales said the redevelopment would “provide much-needed affordable housing in the area”.

Responding to the council’s previous flooding concerns, the agents argued the property was on the “outer edge” of a flood zone area, and the proposed development would be “safe, sustainable, and compliant with national policy”.

But council planning officers disagreed, noting there was no new flood assessment since the first application was turned down.

Gelligaer Community Council objected to the plans on flooding and parking grounds – and three neighbours submitted objections related to concerns about noise, antisocial behaviour, flooding and overdevelopment.

However, the council planners only accepted flooding as a valid reason for refusal.