Agenda item

To consider an retrospective application for the change of use of dwelling (Use Class C3) to form a house of multiple occupancy (Use Class C4) for 4 people at 7 Llys Walsh, Rhyl (copy attached).

 

 

A retrospective application was submitted for a change of use of dwelling (Use

Class C3) to form a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) (Use Class C4) for four people at 7 Llys Walsh Rhyl.

 

At this juncture, the chair and officers agreed to take the 7 Llys Walsh Rhyl, 1 Lon Taylor Rhyl and 3 Lon Taylor Rhyl at once as all three applications were all for the same change of use for the dwellings.

 

Councillor Brian Blakeley highlighted an error with the reports as it stated Councillor Cheryl Williams and himself as the local members, which was incorrect. The local members were Councillors Win Mullen-James and Michelle Walker.

 

Councillor Win Mullen-James (local member) raised concern with the applications and the use of HMOs as it was against planning policy BSE 7. Planning officers interjected that the application was for Class C4 of HMO, a smaller class of HMO and was allowed within policy.

 

Councillor Joan Butterfield outlined concerns with the retrospective nature of the application. It was also highlighted that the Council had tried avoiding using HMOs. There were concerns with housing people in HMOs as it was classed as substandard accommodation. There were also concerns raised as the health board did not have any forward planning with housing for their staff hence the need for HMOs. Councillor Butterfield was worried that a precedent would be set across the County by allowing HMOs once again.

 

Proposal - Councillor Gareth Sandilands proposed that the application be granted in accordance with officer recommendations as set out in the report, seconded by Councillor Win Mullen James.

 

Councillor Brian Blakeley, as the homeless champion in Rhyl, highlighted concerns with the amount of homelessness issues people housed in hotels; it causes distress for people in the Rhyl area.

 

The planning officer responded by informing the committee that Cartrefi Conwy purchased the properties on the open market. These were not tied to affordable housing, and there were no restrictions in place for the houses. If the application were refused, it would not mean the houses would not be open for people on the housing waiting list. He understood the concerns; there would need to be arguments about the impacts, the condition on planning application would only be for five years, and an assessment of the effect could be made at the end of that period.

 

Members queried whether only health workers could use the houses. Officers stated that it would be a condition on the application.

 

Some committee members highlighted that the health board were trying to house professionals professionally. A question was asked whether a homeowner would also be able rent some rooms. The planning officers stated it was something which could be done, and if multiple rooms were rented, then it would become an HMO. The planning officer reiterated how he understood the concerns raised by members; however, highlighted that if the application was refused, nothing stopped Cartrefi Conwy from renting to three people; the application before members gave the Council some control over the situation.

 

Proposal – Councillor Brian Blakeley proposed the application be refused on the grounds of loss of housing for residents, seconded by Councillor Andrea Tomlin.

 

Councillor Gareth Sandilands withdraw his original proposal of approval for the application.

 

The housing was for the workers for the health board and not for their family members,

 

The vote was taken on block for –

Agenda item 13 Application No. 45/2021/0738/ Pc - 7 Llys Walsh, Rhyl

Agenda item 14 Application No. 45/2021/0739/ Pc - 1 Lon Taylor, Rhyl

Agenda item 15 Application No. 45/2021/0740/ Pc - 3 Lon Taylor, Rhyl

 

VOTE:

FOR – 3

AGAINST – 11

ABSTAIN –2

 

RESOLVED that permission be GRANTED in accordance with the officer

Recommendations as detailed in the report, including the conditions set out in the report