Nine-bed HMO plan likened to ‘sardines in a tin’

A contentious plan for a nine-bed HMO in Newport has been likened to fitting sardines in a tin.

Proposals to convert the six-bedroom house at 60 Ombersley Road into an eight-bed HMO were approved in January, but now the applicant is bidding to add another living space.

Allt Yr Yn ward councillor Pat Drewett told the city’s planning committee he “strongly” objected to the latest proposals for the “quiet residential street”.

He said the new application was asking committee members “how many sardines can you fit into a tin – except in this case the sardines are people”.

Cllr Drewett said he was “deeply concerned” about the cumulative impact of HMOs, which he alleged “already dominated” the neighbourhood.

He warned of a “mountain of refuse” outside other HMOs and said parking was already “extremely difficult” in the area.

HMOs (houses in multiple occupation) are typically properties for single, unrelated adults who have their own private bedrooms but share other areas such as kitchens or bathrooms.

In this case, eight of the proposed bedrooms would have en-suite bathrooms, and the ninth bedroom would have a bathroom nearby.

Council planning officer Adam Foote said the proposed conversion of the garage was the only change from the eight-bed HMO plan the committee approved earlier in the year.

That conversion work is currently under way, he added.

Mr Foote challenged the councillor’s “sardines” claim and said the proposed bedrooms are “generously sized” and “significantly” larger than minimum standards.

Cllr Matthew Pimm, a committee member, said he agreed with most of Cllr Drewett’s concerns about the HMO proposal.

But councillors Gavin Horton and Will Routley reminded their committee colleagues the applicant already had planning permission for the eight-bed HMO at the property.

“I think we are trying to close the stable door after the horse has definitely bolted,” said Cllr Routley.

A planning report shows Allt Yr Yn councillor Matthew Evans also objected to the latest plans, arguing the neighbourhood was “overdeveloped” with HMOs.

The agent for applicant Mathieson and Bell Ltd described the location as “sustainable”, however, and said the latest proposals made “more efficient use of the site by incorporating the existing garage to provide an enlarged communal kitchen and living area, and dedicated cycle storage”.

Cllr Stephen Cocks noted the local authority’s recent calls for HMO licensing and planning regulations to be aligned, and for tougher penalties for landlords who break the rules.

Senior planning officer Andrew Ferguson said the department was “aware of the comments and concerns”, and there would be talks on “trying to get a better understanding of tackling some of the perceived issues with HMOs relative to all types of property”.

A majority of committee members voted to grant planning permission for the nine-bed HMO.