THE owner of an HMO in Grays has been given the go ahead to expand accommodation into an outbuilding at the end of the garden despite objections from residents reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
The owner of 164 Long Lane, Stifford Clays has approval for a five-bed HMO but applied to Thurrock Council to use a large outbuilding for two more bedrooms with a shared kitchen and bathroom. The outbuilding itself already has planning permission but approval was sought to turn property into a seven-bed HMO.
The council received objections from 15 neighbours complaining of antisocial behaviour, noise and lack of parking.
Resident, Bob Livermore, attended a planning committee meeting on Thursday to urge councillors to reject the application. Speaking on behalf of a number of residents, he said: “The property does not have sufficient parking to accommodate the additional vehicles that will inevitably come with more residents. The road is already too busy for safe and convenient parking.
“The level of physical traffic to and from the property is also a concern. Previous residents came and went at all hours of the day revving engines.”
Mr Livermore added: “The property owner has been unresponsive to past complaints. There are ongoing environmental concerns. Cigarette butts are often discarded on the street and noise from the garden is a constant issue occurring at all hours of the day or night often lasting days with music singing and shouting at night.
“The rubbish bins are frequently overflowing and white goods are dumped on the forecourt for weeks on end. We as residents shouldn’t have to endure these conditions.”
Tom Kelly, Conservative councillor for Little Thurrock Rectory, expressed surprise that such a large building, stretching the width of the garden had been allowed. He said: “They’ve obviously got drainage going to the building. I did not think you could get away with something that large. I’m really perplexed.”
Councillors approved the application after hearing they would have little defence on appeal. However, chairman Michael Fletcher said the antisocial behaviour would have to be addressed adding: “We will find another way of dealing with it.”
