House converted to HMO despite local concerns

A house on Morden Road will be turned into a House of Multiple Occupancy, despite concerns from residents.

Newport City Council approved the application for a five bedroom HMO in a planning committee meeting held on Wednesday November 3.

The application received 24 objections from residents – whose main concerns were the lack of parking in the area and the effect on the “character” of the community.

The HMO will be located at 69 Morden Road and will have a maximum of five occupants.

One resident spoke on behalf of the neighbours at the meeting and said: “They are seeing their community being eroded and they hope that you, as elected officials, can hear their concerns and address them.”

Councillor Carmel Townsend, who represents the St Julians ward, said she supported the residents in their objections to the application.

Cllr Townsend added: “This area is over-burdened with HMOs.”

A HMO is a house occupied by people who are unrelated and have private bedrooms, but share facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Cllr Jason Jordan who voted to refuse the application, said: “I think these HMOs are a problem for us, I do not like them to be perfectly honest.”

Cllr Yvonne Forsey, who represents Rogerstone, said she did not think that HMOs cause “detriment”.

Private developer TF Property, based in England, is behind the HMO. According to its website the company has several properties in the South Wales area.

Its “strategy” sees it buying property at below market value in areas where there is demand for housing and refurbishing them to either rent or sell.

Cllr Townsend added: “This developer is in Winchester, so there is no benefit to Newport.”