A VACANT bungalow can be converted to a council run house of multiple occupation but a giant tree in its garden will be removed.
Neighbours had objected to the plan to use the large corner bungalow to house four single people at risk of homelessness and claimed it could result in anti-social behaviour and have a negative impact on the residential street.
Councillors, who gave the change of use application the go-ahead, were told the property would be managed by the council’s housing service and they should consider it as they would any other residential development.
Councillor Emma Bryn said she was sorry the large fir tree would be cut down and lost despite the planning officer having described it as “non-native”. The application by Monmouthshire County Council hadn’t confirmed its species despite one document stating it would do so.
The independent councillor said she was “pleased” to see the bungalow in Park Crescent, Abergavenny would be used as house of multiple occupation, or HMO, as she said “small HMOs” can help address the housing shortage.
But the Wyesham member said: “The loss of any mature tree, even if it is non-native, is sad to see.”
Planning officer Philip Thomas said the tree is being removed to make way for a new vehicle entrance to the bungalow on the junction with Hereford Road.
Other than refurbishment no major building works are proposed but a conservatory in the back garden will be demolished along with a garage at the side, to create a parking area for two cars, while a garden wall will also be removed for the new vehicle entrance and there will be a new footpath to the front door.
Renovations inside will include a new kitchen and dinning area and two bathrooms, each with a toilet, shared between the four bedrooms, while windows and doors will be replaced as necessary and there will also be storage for bicycles and recycling.
Cllr Bryn said she would have liked to have seen an additional toilet especially if the property could accommodate up to eight people.
She said: “It could benefit from a separate toilet, if two people are in the shower the others can’t get to the toilet.”
Mr Thomas said the intention is the property houses four single people but described the bedrooms as large and the housing department said it could house a couple there for a “short period” if there is demand.
Conservative councillor for Devauden Rachel Buckler said “careful management” could alleviate concerns from neighbours and said: “I think for residents a level of concern will be the upkeep and management of the property.”
Independent Socialist member for Dewstow Tony Easson, who said he would support the application, asked if Gwent Police had been consulted and said council managers couldn’t be at the property at all times.
Mr Thomas said the housing team will be liaising with neighbours but reminded the committee their consideration was whether the use is appropriate in a residential area, which he said it is, and police wouldn’t normally be consulted on such an application.
The committee approved the change of use, from residential C3 use to class C4 use as a house in multiple occupation, with 12 councillors voting in favour.
