A controversial plan to turn a vacant Cardiff nursery into a nine-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) has been approved despite local opposition. The owners of the Red Balloon Nursery in Llandeyrn submitted the proposal to the council earlier this year.
Financial pressures behind the decision
The application explains that the childcare sector has faced notable shifts, including reduced enrolment, increased operational costs, and changing working patterns affecting occupancy rates. The owners experienced a gradual downturn in the nursery's performance, making it financially unsustainable. The decision was taken to cease use, leaving the building at risk of vacancy and deterioration without an alternative use.
Community objections raised
Seventeen letters of objection were attached to the application, and two ward councillors spoke against the proposal during the meeting where it was approved. Concerns raised include overdevelopment, traffic, the loss of the nursery as a community space, and the proximity to local schools.
The planning officer stated that all parts of the plan were policy-compliant and no objections had been made from consultees such as the council's highways and traffic team.
Councillors divided on the plans
Cllr Joe Carter spoke against the development, arguing the plans were not right for the building. He took issue with the fact that a large communal living room area for the HMO would be in a separate building from the one with the bedrooms. He said: "This is a lounge, the main communal area of the house, but it's not in the house at all." He added the plans were "too much for this building" and the separate lounge was the result of owners trying to "cram" as many rooms as possible into the space.
Other councillors were more receptive. Cllr Sean Driscoll said: "I think we're going to have to get used to a few more HMOs" and the development "doesn't look out of place" in the area, though he added it may be "a bedroom too far". Cllr Michael Michael said he could "see no reason" why a "really strong application" should be turned down. Cllr Adrian Robson said: "It's policy-compliant [and] probably one of the better HMO applications this committee has seen."
