Bid to overturn refusal of plans to increase numbers living in Wrexham HMO is kicked out

A BID to overturn the refusal of plans to increase the number of people living in a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Wrexham has been dismissed.
It comes after a planning inspector raised concerns about road safety outside the property on Poplar Road near the town centre.
Landlord Arran Pritchard had wanted to up the amount of bedrooms at the house from six to seven to accommodate more tenants.
The proposals were refused by Wrexham Council in August because of a lack of parking space on the road, which is close to St Giles’ Primary School.
Mr Pritchard lodged an appeal as he argued the new resident would be unlikely to own a car, but the local authority’s conclusions have now been supported by the Planning Inspectorate.
In his decision notice, the inspector appointed to oversee the case said the changes would pose a danger to pedestrians.
Aidan McCooey said: “I consider that this is an area of high parking demand and the evidence of local residents supports this view.
“The proposal would introduce another independent occupant into the premises, who could have an additional vehicle
“If one considers the need to avoid blocking in and to allow vehicles to enter and leave in a forward gear: the required number of spaces cannot be accommodated on site.
“As the parking area is constrained, it is likely that vehicles would have to reverse out of the site onto the footway and road.
“This would result in danger to pedestrians and other road users at this complex junction close to a school and shop.”
Mr Pritchard had produced a survey highlighting the number of cars owned by tenants at the 23 HMOs under his management in the area to support the appeal.
It showed that less than 20 per cent of the 146 people he lets rooms to are vehicle owners.
But Mr McCooey said the plans would add to a potentially hazardous situation.
A previous bid to increase the number of bedrooms at the house to eight was also refused on appeal for similar reasons.

By Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter