Controversial plans for two HMOs in Merthyr Tydfil have been officially rejected by councillors. The council’s planning committee confirmed its decision to refuse plans to turn a property in Ninth Avenue, Galon Uchaf, into an HMO for five people. At a meeting on Wednesday, October 9, they also rejected the proposal for a six-bedroom HMO and two flats at the Mount Pleasant Hotel in Cardiff Road, Merthyr Vale.
The committee had initially voted against officer recommendations for the Galon Uchaf plan in September, citing concerns about highway safety and the character of the area. The reasons for refusal now confirmed include the potential increase in on-street parking, congestion affecting highway safety, and the incongruity of the proposed development with the existing housing in the area.
Local residents, led by Councillor David Isaac, raised objections based on concerns about the impact on the area’s character, residential amenity, and highway safety. The application received 48 letters of objection and three petitions with a total of 425 signatures, highlighting issues such as unsuitability of the location, parking challenges, over-intensification of use, community impact, safety considerations, and proximity to schools and playing fields.
Similarly, objections to the Mount Pleasant Hotel application included worries about community safety, over-concentration of HMOs, parking issues, anti-social behaviour, and changes to the area’s character. Planning officers had recommended approval, emphasizing the need for affordable housing in challenging economic times.
The committee’s decision not to accept officer recommendations for approval was rooted in concerns over highway safety and the unsustainable location of the Mount Pleasant Hotel site. Additional reasons for refusal were the potential impact on parking and congestion, particularly during diversions from the A470, and the lack of access to local amenities and inadequate transport links.
The application process saw significant community engagement, with a petition garnering 1,275 signatures and 91 objection letters amplifying worries about various aspects of the proposed developments. Planning officers’ initial endorsement of the applications was eventually overturned by the planning committee due to the outlined concerns.
Committee members, including Councillor Scott Thomas and Clive Jones, expressed reservations about the applications, particularly noting changes in property ownership and raising questions about the approval process. The decisions on the HMO developments highlight the importance of balancing housing needs with preserving community character and ensuring safe and sustainable development practices in Merthyr Tydfil.