PLANNING officers have given the green light for a newly built family home to be turned into an eight-room HMO despite residents’ objections reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
An application to build a spacious six-bedroom home at 109 Humber Avenue, South Ockendon, was approved in 2023 by Thurrock Council.
In April, Vision Partners Homes Limited, sought permission to turn the single family home into an eight-bedroom HMO by dividing a living room to make two extra bedrooms.
Residents hit back at the scheme saying it would “significantly increase density in a quiet, family-oriented street”. They were also concerned the development was out of character with surrounding single-family homes and the property was “not suitable for eight separate households”.
Stephen Brennan of Hamble Lane, South Ockendon, objected to the proposal. He said: “The development is only the size of a normal detached house, however this has obviously been built as a HMO.
“The house does not look suitable for occupation by eight people/ families, and its close proximity to a school raises safety concerns. I also have concerns about parking, traffic, visitors from out of area and the extra rubbish and associated smells, plus the possibility of antisocial behaviour associated with the property being used in this way.”
Sai Chand Guttha of Humber Avenue, South Ockendon, added: “This section of Humber Avenue consists of just eight properties, all of which are occupied by single-family households. There are currently no HMOs on this stretch. The proposed development would double the number of households on the street in a single move, introducing a drastically higher density that is completely out of keeping with the established character of the area.
“This is a quiet, family-oriented residential street with many households having children. The introduction of a high-occupancy HMO would significantly alter the social and residential fabric of the neighbourhood, disrupting the cohesion and peaceful environment currently enjoyed by residents.”
Planning officers said: “whilst the concerns raised by local residents are acknowledged, they do not constitute material planning considerations and therefore cannot be given weight in the determination of the application.”
