Plans to Convert Shop and Residential Accommodation into 8 Bedroom HMO in Rhondda Cynon Taf

There are plans to convert a shop and residential accommodation into an eight bedroom HMO in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT).
An application submitted to the council proposes the change of use of an existing mixed-use building to an eight-bedroom house in multiple occupation at 19 Waunrhydd Road, Tonyrefail.
The western portion of the ground floor used to be a retail shop, with the remainder of the property in use as residential accommodation
The planning statement submitted with the application says the existing shop unit has been vacant since September 2013.
On the loss of the retail space, it said that the fact that it has been empty for 12 and a half years indicates “a lack of viable demand for continued commercial use.”
The plans include the conversion of the existing commercial unit to residential accommodation, the reconfiguration of the internal layout to create an eight bedroom HMO, alterations to external fenestration to suit the internal adjustments, providing a shared kitchen and other communal facilities and the formation of a communal conservatory space.
The statement said the site is not considered a key retail anchor within a primary shopping centre and that there is a range of alternative retail provision within the wider area.
It says: “The long term vacancy demonstrates that the continuation of the existing use is not economically viable and the proposed development presents a realistic and beneficial opportunity to reuse a vacant building, contributing to the active occupation of the site.”
In terms of parking, the planning statement says that the site benefits from reasonable access to public transport services, including nearby bus
connections leading to major towns with train stations.
But it says that as HMOs typically generate higher parking demand than single-family dwellings, off-street parking has been provided to the rear for each of the bedrooms and that it is considered that any additional demand arising from the proposal would be capable of being accommodated within the surrounding highway network without resulting in unacceptable overspill or obstruction.
It says that adequate refuse and recycling storage will be provided within the site and a management arrangement will ensure bins are presented for collection appropriately and stored to avoid street clutter or nuisance.
And the statement says that the property will be professionally managed focusing on tenant behaviour, house rules, maintenance and repair, waste management, complaints handling procedures and fire safety. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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