Controversial plans to allow a property in Netherfield to be converted into an HMO have been allowed by councillors last night (September 7) who were given the chance to reject the scheme.
Plans were submitted to change a property on Chandos Street into a seven-bedroomed HMO and were discussed at Gedling Borough Council’s Planning Committee meeting at the Civic Centre in Arnold.
There were eight votes for the application and 7 against.
During the planning meeting at the Civic Centre in Arnold yesterday (September 6) Rae Murphy spoke on behalf of JBM Property Management, who put in the request to create an HMO at 49 Chandos Street in the town.
She told the committee: “The argument regarding too many HMOs in Netherfield is very subjective and there are no real facts to support this.
“There are seven HMOs in the whole of Netherfield which is equivalent to 0.24%. It seems ridiculous to say the area has too many types of this property. If this application was accepted, it would go to 0.27%. I believe this is the reason why the Article 4 direction to restrict permitted development to change HMOs did not come in during the meeting in April 2022.
“Regardless of whether this application is approved, this house will become a six bed HMO under permitted development rights. There is a clear need for this type of accommodation in the area and in comparison to a six to seven bed, I do not believe one extra bedroom to cause any more issues.”
She added: “This property alone would cater for seven single people who were the otherwise struggle to finance and find a rental property small enough for them.
“Based on all the reasons above, should this application be refused today we will be going to appeal. It is likely that due to the reasons stated we will be granted planning permission. This is because the independent body looks at everything that that particular area needs.
“If the application is not approved today, we will this time be putting in the appeal that we are to be reimbursed by the council for the additional costs of this.”
Councillor David Ellis said that while he didn’t appreciate ‘the threats’ from the guest speaker, he supported the proposal.
He said: “I think on balance I will be supporting the recommendation.
“I suppose the thing that reassures me is that this HMO will need to be licensed, so they will need a better relationship with the council and we’ll be able to give some oversight and supervision to this operation.”
But Councillor Mike Adams raised concerns around parking if the HMO was permitted.
He said: There’s not enough space on that road to park seven potential people with vehicles
“Victorian streets, like the ones in Netherfield, are always difficult for parking – and this one particularly is incredibly full all of the time.”
But despite concerns the plans were given the green light.
Justin Ingrey, who submitted the plans, celebrated with a post on Facebook.
He wrote: This will now be a seven bedroom HMO for seven working professionals; seven people that may not be able to afford a full house, pay all the utility costs and potential maintenance.
“We are taking away one family house – yes, but we are providing a house for seven separate people which is a great feeling as we know how much our tenants enjoy being in our accommodation.”
