Plans for New HMO in Bridgend Approved Despite Local Objections

Plans to change the use of a residential property in Bridgend to a house in multiple occupation (HMO) has been approved this month, despite a number of local objections from residents.
The application from D2 PropCo Ltd will now see a former residential property on Coity Road, Bridgend, turned in to a shared dwelling where five people can live and share basic amenities.
The plans shown to council bosses this month said the five-bedroom dwelling would not be altered externally or internally to accommodate the change of use, with two bedrooms on the ground floor and a further three at first floor level.
There will also be a shared kitchen and living area on the ground floor and shared bathroom at first floor level.
During a monthly planning meeting, officers presenting the application also told members how the property would be used by the applicants as temporary accommodation for single adults across the borough.
However, it was heard that members of Bridgend Town Council had opposed the plans, with the report saying they felt “figures reported by BCBC to Welsh Government do not support the need for additional HMOs within Bridgend Town Council area”.
Other representations were made to the committee by Cllr Steven Bletsoe, who also said he could not support the plans due to its proximity to other similar properties in the street, that had led to “numerous complaints” to him from residents.
He said: “This property is directly opposite Ty Ogwr and Vesta Court, and is in very close proximity to Cornerstone House, all of which are heavily populated properties in a very small space and also full of many residents who require in depth and complex support.
“The three houses in such a small area cause a lot of disturbance to other residents already, without any moves to further increase the number of people.”
Officers responded by saying there were currently only around 15 HMO buildings in Bridgend, which was not sufficient for them to class it as being an over-intensification of HMOs in the area, adding that in planning terms it was perfectly acceptable.
Others noted how the council was currently paying out a lot of money to house the homeless or those who could not find affordable accommodation, and welcomed the move to bring a new HMO to the area.
Members also gave praise to the management plan put in place by applicants, with CCTV cameras covering in communal parts of the property and a house manager visiting daily.
The plans were later approved unanimously at the monthly cabinet meeting on October 19. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​