Planners back six HMO applications amid crime concerns

The planning committee, which met on 25 February, determined six applications for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

The council has been dealing with an influx of HMO applications in recent years, leading it to introduce a threshold policy limiting the number of HMOs to ten per cent of homes within 50m of an existing HMO.

The debate surrounding HMOs is contentious, with some arguing they offer good accommodation to people who are priced out of renting a flat, while others state they are changing the city’s housing stock and communities for the worse.

An application to change a shopfront at 246 Havant Road into a seven bedroom HMO, retaining the shop on the ground floor, with a mansard roof extension, a terrace at ground level and cycle and refuse storage, was approved.

Applicants responded after previous plans were refused and, as a result, reduced their proposal by one bedroom and increased the size of the shop.

Plans to change the use of a house at 20 Wadham Road into a seven bedroom HMO were also approved.

The committee heard from Henry Thorpe of the Oriel Road Residents Association, who raised concerns about antisocial behaviour and crime in the area.

“This HMO specifically sits within an area that has had stabbings, racial tension, car raids, issues with drugs, ASB and mismanagement of HMOs” – he added that he was assaulted by a HMO resident in the area.

Cllr Russell Simpson shared a letter from the neighbourhood policing team that was delivered to homes in the area asking residents to complete a survey as they were “made aware of issues where you live”.

Planning officers responded, acknowledging that the fear of crime and ASB can be considered, but argued that there is little evidence of crime in areas with low concentrations of HMOs and suggested the survey simply sought information.

“There’s no indication that the survey is driven by a particular use or occupation”

Cllr Lee Hunt added: “I know that this is a really emotional debate, the truth of the matter is that if we truly wanted to address the proliferation of HMOs in our communities there is not that much a local planning authority (LPA) can do.”

“It needs to be addressed by members of parliament rather than a LPA which frankly has been castrated by successive governments.”

Plans to change 16 Fearon Road into a seven bedroom HMO were also approved, with three local residents speaking on the proposal.

Kelly Fay said the proposal has caused deep concern among residents due to the “changing face” in their neighbourhood as a result of the rise of HMOs.

Cheryl Hope said that people on the road feel this is “happening to them, there is no alternative” and that HMOs are driving people out of Fearon Road.

Charmane Skinner has lived on Fearon Road since 1971 and has experienced “abusive” and “aggressive” HMO tenants, which she said is seeing the road “deteriorate terribly”.

Councillors approved the plans, citing a lack of material reasons for refusal that would withstand an appeal.

Plans for another seven bedroom HMO at 78 Oriel Road were also approved.

Henry Thorpe spoke again on behalf of his residents association. He said he found his experience at the planning committee “upsetting” due to the planning officer stating there was no evidence of crime or ASB despite him being a victim of crime, the experiences of the residents association and police surveys.

“This isn’t really good democracy,” he added.

The applicant defended the proposal, saying it is disturbing that HMO tenants are painted in a bad light, stating that many of his tenants are young professionals including nurses and doctors and that all their tenants are vetted.

Cllr Simpson added that the police survey “isn’t generic, it has come to these roads because of multiple complaints”, adding that the police do not have the time or resources to distribute them without good reason.

Two more HMOs were approved with little objection, one on 98 Laburnum Grove for an eight-bed and one for a 6-bed HMO on 145 Prince Albert Road.