Case study
Croydon Council – HMO
Planning Voice prepared a planning objection on behalf of the resident of a property adjacent to 16 Derrick Avenue, South Croydon. This objection addressed concerns over the proposed conversion of a single-family home into a six-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), which also included plans to convert the garage into a living area. This planning objection aimed to protect the residential amenity, local character, and parking availability in the quiet, family-focused neighborhood.
Main Issues
The primary concerns included residential amenity, the impact on local character, and increased parking demand. The objection highlighted that the proposed HMO, located in a quiet residential area with low public transport accessibility, was unsuited to the neighborhood’s family-oriented environment. Given the high local demand for family homes, the loss of this single-family unit was seen as detrimental to the area’s character, which was predominantly made up of single-family residences. The transient nature of HMO residents was noted as a potential disruptor to the community’s cohesion, which the residents highly valued. Additionally, the property’s proposed high occupancy rate raised concerns about noise, limited communal living space, and the potential for overcrowding.
The objection also highlighted the negative visual and environmental impacts. The proposed HMO, with its high density and extensive amenities such as larger waste bins, was out of scale with surrounding properties and posed a potential management issue, risking maintenance neglect. Moreover, increased demand for on-street parking due to the removal of the garage and low public transport accessibility could significantly worsen local traffic congestion and reduce available parking for existing residents, many of whom already struggle to find parking nearby.
Outcome
Refused Application: Following the submission of our detailed planning objection the application was refused!
