Plans to turn Shotton mid-terrace house into 4 bed HMO

A three-bedroom property in Shotton could be turned into a four-bedroom HMO (house of multiple occupation) for up to six people.

Flintshire Council’s planning department has received an application to change the use of a property on Salisbury Street in the town.

The three-bedroom mid-terrace house has a rear paved garden and outbuilding attached. One of the rooms has been earmarked for two people to share, with the others single bedrooms.

According to a planning statement submitted with the application there will be no changes to the overall layout of the property, but some minor internal alterations are planned to create an additional bedroom on the first floor and spilt the living room and dining room with a partition wall.

One of the issues addressed in the planning statement is a lack of parking, with the landlord to insist to tenants that there is no parking available to them at the property.

“There is no available private car parking spaces”, the planning statement says.

“Bicycle storage for up to six bikes will be available in the rear paved courtyard.

“Parking is available on Salisbury Road but to reduce any impact on the highway, the landlord with insist that car ownership is not an option for the tenants as local amenities are available.”

The planning statement also outlines the case that the change of use of the property will help meet demand for this type of accommodation in the area.

It adds: “This is a straightforward application for the change of use of a three-bedroom residential dwelling to a four-bedroom HMO.

With no external alterations, the proposal will not change or harm the character of the surrounding area.

“The proposed living accommodation is in accordance with those standards required for HMO properties and with the external bicycle store available it will encourage a more sustainable living for the occupants.

“The principle of the proposal is acceptable and makes the most efficient and effective use of existing housing stock, in accordance with Local Policy and to respond to a shortage of this type of accommodation in the County the application should be looked on favourably to help this demand.”

Flintshire Council planners will make a decision on the application at a future date.
By Rory Sheehan – Local Democracy Reporter (more here).