New HMO approved in Cardiff despite outrage

The plans have been met with controversy

Cardiff Council has approved a new eight-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) despite objections from local residents and ward councillors. The council has given the go-ahead for the conversion of an existing home into an eight-bedroom HMO at 34 Maindy Road in Cathays, despite local opposition to the plan.

During the planning process, local councillors Norma Mackie, Sarah Merry and Chris Weaver sent an objection letter to the planners.

It reads: “That the use of the property as an eight-bedroom Sui Generis HMO will further exacerbate the unacceptable cumulative adverse impacts on the amenities of the area by virtue of a higher number of transient residents leading towards less community cohesion and undermining the objectives of securing a sustainable mixed use community.” Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here

The group also raised concerns about the density of HMOs already in Cathays and the “negative impacts” that could be caused by these developments such as “crime and anti-social behaviour”.

Regarding crime, the planning officer’s report reads: “The use of the property as a HMO does not immediately result in an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour. If such issues occur then that would be a matter for the police.”

Another objection attached to the application reads: “Maindy Road is already blighted by HMOs; it is literally impossible to currently find a parking space, allowing the conversion of this property would only add to an already impossible situation, we need more family homes not HMOs.”

Another reads: “Please do not allow yet another HMO to be created in our lovely neighbourhood. Eight more people bringing their cars in an already overcrowded parking area will be catastrophic.

“Not to mention the increased workload for the bin collection people, the chaos after bin collection day where more garbage will be thrown out.”

Other complaints followed similar themes of the impact to the local community, increased traffic and the density of HMOs in the areas.

Regarding the density, the planning officer wrote that the “threshold” of HMOs in Cathays ward had not been met yet and, regarding traffic, the officer said that the site was within “a parking zone” and that cycle parking spaces were planned for the property.