Uproar over plans for Cardiff house

Plans to turn a Cardiff home into a six-bedroom house in multiple occupancy (HMO) have sparked uproar from local councillors. Rupert Elliott has applied for planning permission from Cardiff Council to turn a three-storey house at 56 Stockland Street into a HMO. The application reads: “The proposed change of use represents a sustainable and appropriate form of development within an established residential area. “The proposal accords with national and local planning policy, will not harm residential amenity, and will not adversely affect the character of the area. “The development makes efficient use of existing housing stock, promotes sustainable travel patterns, and provides high-quality accommodation in a sustainable location.” Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here Councillors Ash Lister and Lynda Thorne, the latter of whom serves as the city’s cabinet member for housing and communities, have submitted a letter of objection to planners, urging them to refuse permission. The letter reads: “As ward councillors we continue to receive consistent and sustained concerns from residents across Grangetown regarding the cumulative impact of HMOs on their streets and quality of life. “This application reflects those wider concerns and the clear local view that further intensification is neither appropriate nor sustainable in this location.” The councillors raised concerns about the existing concentration of HMOs in Grangetown. They said residents have raised concerns consistently over several years "regarding the cumulative impact of these conversions, including increased turnover of occupants, reduced neighbour stability, and growing pressure on local services". They also cited the “loss of family housing in a high-demand area” as a reason for rejection. The letter continues: “This proposal represents the loss of another family home and contributes to a trend that residents consider unsustainable. “Reducing the supply of family homes available for rent also has wider implications for affordability. As supply diminishes while demand remains high, there is an increased risk that rents are driven upwards, further restricting access to appropriate housing for local families.” These are in addition to concerns relating to waste management and impact on residential amenity. Planning documents read: “The scale of occupation is appropriate for the size of the property. The proposal will not result in unacceptable noise, disturbance, or overlooking and will not adversely affect neighbouring amenity.” They also read that, if approved, the density of HMOs would be below the threshold set by the council.