Plans to turn house in Hawarden into seven bed ‘house of multiple occupation’ refused

Proposals to convert a house in Hawarden into a seven bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO) have been refused because of concerns about parking. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Plans by XPM Ltd to change the use of a property on Castle Rise in the village were originally turned down in December. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

However, the company reapplied to Flintshire Council in January after claiming it had addressed some of the issues raised. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

In a letter sent to the local authority with the latest application, a representative for the firm said the proposed HMO would be well looked after. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

They said: “In regards to the issues previously raised about parking, I would like to firstly make you aware that the house is limited to one car per room. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“This would make the maximum number of cars at the property at any one time eight, as shown in the parking plan attached. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“However there is also ample public transport. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“One of our main priorities is preserving the special character of the area, we are aware that Hawarden is a very sort after location and as such we would like to maintain this. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We provide ourselves on being ‘executive’, therefore to keep in with this at Oak House we have installed 24/7 CCTV at the property to make sure that the area is looked after and well maintained.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Despite the reassurances, an officer from the council’s planning department has rejected the proposals using delegated powers. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

In his decision notice, James Beattie said five letters of objection had been received against the plans. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

He said: “It is considered that the proposed parking arrangement would be impractical and will result in tandem parking as residents would not want their car to be boxed in by others. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“This in turn could lead to on street parking and the disruption of the free flow of traffic within the cul de sac. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“It is considered that the proposed use of the premises has the potential for a significant adverse impact upon the character and appearance of the designated area. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Whilst more information has been provided in this submission than in the previous application,  I still consider that this premises is an inappropriate location for an HMO chiefly due to the numbers that are proposed to be housed.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

By Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter (more here). ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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