Plans have been approved for a seven-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) in an inner Cardiff neighbourhood. The proposal also contains a ground floor extension, a dormer extension, and a change in the size of the rear garage, according to the planning officer's report.
Design and Target Residents
The application, lodged by Kashif Aziz, states: "The objective is to design a high-quality, functional, and safe large sui generis house in multiple occupation (HMO) that offers both privacy and communal spaces." It continues: "The target residents are professionals and/or students so the design aims to provide a modern, comfortable, and low-maintenance living environment that fosters community while respecting individual needs for private space."
Communal Features
The proposal includes a comfortable living area with suitable seating, possibly a TV, and wifi access for leisure and social interaction. This has been done to encourage a communal atmosphere, helping to foster a sense of community among tenants.
Planning Officer's Report
The planning officer's report notes: "Following recent appeal decisions it is evident that Inspectors have consistently allowed developments of HMOs in areas where a high concentration exists and where refusal on these grounds alone cannot be substantiated beyond a certain limit." It adds: "This has been consistently applied by inspectors where concentrations of HMOs within a 50m radius exceed 65%." The report concludes: "Noting that past appeal decisions are material planning considerations, and for the reasons outlined above, a refusal on policy grounds would, on balance, neither be justified nor sustained in this instance."
Property Location
The address of the property is 42 May Street in Cathays, an area of the city known for its large amount of HMOs often used for students. According to the same report, the ground-floor extension would not be overbearing or generally un-neighbourly which would justify concern and will provide a subservient addition to the dwelling which would not prejudice the general character of the area or the existing dwellinghouse. The property had previously been used as a smaller HMO.
