City HMO approved at second attempt amid parking concerns

A planned HMO conversion in Newport has been approved at the second attempt, after councillors threw out the original plans over parking and bedroom size concerns.

Members of the city council’s planning committee decided last September to refuse applicant Grainger Jones’ proposals for 28 Brynglas Road.

At the time, they disagreed with the planning department’s assessment of the bid, amid complaints parking in the neighbourhood was “overstretched” and stressful”.

Planning officers considered the property to be in a “a highly-sustainable location within close proximity to shops and services [and] with good transport links”.

But Shaftesbury ward councillor Paul Cockeram said in September parking was “a real issue” and a new HMO would not be “appropriate” in that location.

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

Mr Jones went on to appeal the committee’s decision but was unsuccessful – although a national planning inspector only upheld the council’s refusal over concerns about living standards for future occupants.

“Insofar as parking and highways matters are concerned, the inspector concluded that the proposal would not have a harmful impact on highway safety,” council planners said in a new report.

In resubmitting his application, Mr Jones sought to overcome the space concerns by reducing the number of proposed bedrooms from five to four.

In their report, the planners said this change meant “the proposals are considered to provide an acceptable standard of amenity for future occupants”.

They granted planning permission for the HMO, subject to conditions.

The new application drew 22 objections and one letter of support during a recent consultation period.

Cllr Cockeram also objected to the resubmitted application, telling planners he retained “major concerns” about parking in the area.