OPINION: New Crewe HMO proposals 'planning by the back door'
Crewe councillor, James Pratt (Conservative), has strongly objected to plans to convert 451 West Street into a six-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), warning the proposal is "wholly unsuitable" for the area.
Proposals by Cheshire Blue Living Ltd were submitted this February, with the property located a few doors down from Bargain Booze.
Cllr Pratt said: "As Cheshire East ward councillor for Crewe St Barnabas, I write to formally object to the application for a Certificate of Lawful Use or Development for a six-bedroom, six-person House in Multiple Occupation at 451 West Street.
"This proposal appears to amount to planning by the back door, particularly as the associated extension is subject to application 26/0208/PRIOR-1A, a 'larger householder extension.'
"The combined effect is clearly to intensify use of what is currently a small mid-terraced dwelling far beyond what is appropriate for its size and location.
"The property is a modest two bedroom, one bathroom terraced house of approximately 101 square metres.
"Even with the proposed extension, the scale of occupation proposed represents clear overdevelopment.
"The plans indicate accommodation for two double bedrooms and four single bedrooms.
"This creates the realistic prospect of up to eight occupants in a property of very limited scale, served by a single communal kitchen of only 10.6 square metres, smaller than five of the bedrooms.
"The communal facilities are wholly inadequate for the level of occupation proposed. Bedroom six in particular raises concern.
"Much of the room appears to have restricted head height, and it is served only by a small rooflight rather than a conventional window. This does not represent appropriate or high quality living accommodation.
"The site has no off-road parking whatsoever. West Street is a busy through route with extremely limited on street parking provision.
"Even if one vehicle could be accommodated immediately outside the property, there is no realistic provision for the additional vehicles that could be associated with up to six or more adult occupiers.
"There is no electric vehicle charging provision, and no realistic means of providing it given the absence of off road parking. There is also no provision shown for secure cycle storage.
"The application is silent on waste management and bin storage. This part of West Street already experiences significant fly tipping and refuse problems to the extent that CCTV installation is being progressed to address the issue.
"Intensifying occupation without clear and adequate waste arrangements will exacerbate an existing and serious problem.
"The property is mid-terraced, with neighbours on both sides. The occupation of such a small dwelling by a high number of unrelated adults will inevitably have an impact on adjacent residents through increased noise, comings and goings, and general disturbance.
"The cumulative effect on residential amenity has not been properly addressed.
"In summary, this is a wholly unsuitable location for a six bedroom HMO.
"The proposal represents overdevelopment, fails to provide adequate parking, cycle storage or waste provision, offers substandard communal space, and would harm the amenity of neighbouring residents.
"It sets an entirely inappropriate precedent for this part of West Street. For these reasons, I strongly object to this application and request that it is refused."
The last date for submitting comments is Monday 23 March, with a target decision date of Monday 20 April.
READ MORE: Local councillor quits Tories 'on point of personal principle.'
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