PLANS for an HMO in Merthyr Tydfil which were opposed by more than 100 people have been refused because of “absolute nightmare” parking issues in the area.
The application for a four-bedroom house of multiple occupation in Eastfield Place, Plymouth Street, was rejected by the council’s planning committee on Wednesday, October 1, on parking grounds.
The plans included no external changes but some internal changes to accommodate the change of use and they also included plans for cycle storage.
Councillor Julia Jenkins requested the application came before committee to consider concerns raised by local residents including the impact on parking availability, the character of the area, and waste management.
Planning officers recommended the application be approved and there was one letter of support but there were 122 letters of objection and a petition against the proposal signed by 165 people.
The concerns raised by objectors included that the proposal would make it unsafe for young children, elderly people, and other vulnerable individuals.
They also raised concerns about the lack of parking on site and in surrounding streets resulting in congestion.
Other concerns included anti-social behaviour, noise and disturbance, the strain on local services, that there’s no need for more HMOs in the area, community cohesion, and that it is in a state of disrepair with rubbish being left and the garden overgrown.
Councillor Andrew Barry, one of the local councillors for the ward, asked what is it going to take for highways to object because they’re going to get to a point where the road is impassable.
He said people deserved to live in peace and quiet in this area and said this was not what the area needed.
Councillor John Thomas, a committee member and local ward councillor, said he was “dumbfounded” there was no objection from highways or the police.
He said there are cars parked on pavements and still only room for one line of traffic.
He said they are “inundated” with HMOs in the Town ward and the only interest was the financial gain these properties bring.
He said parking was an “absolute nightmare” in the area.
Councillor Clive Jones said this area has been well sought after by families to live there but HMOs are taking out properties that could well be used.
He said it didn’t fill him with confidence what he’s heard about how the property has currently been looked after and he had no confidence whoever is put in there is going to improve the situation.
He said parking has been a major issue there for years and it’s getting worse all the time.
He said these properties are becoming a “blot on the landscape” and he said this property would change the face of the street and the community.
Councillor Anna Williams-Price raised concern about the disconnect between how highways issues are presented and the experience of residents.
