On Tuesday, March 18, residents presented a petition opposing the conversion of 10 Gade Bank in Croxley into a six-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO).
The 27 residents who signed the petition shared their concerns of increased noise, traffic congestion, loss of community character, and fire safety risks.
They presented the petition at a meeting of the General Public Services, Community Safety & Infrastructure Committee.
However, councillors reported that they were not allowed to speak in support. The chair indicated that Three Rivers District Council would write to petitioners.
Talking to CROXLEYnews, Green Party councillor and committee member Narinder Sian said: “Residents took the time to present well-reasoned concerns, yet the council’s response was dismissive. Saying ‘we have no power’ ignores local measures that could be explored, such as licensing reviews and enforcement of landlord responsibilities. We must do better for our communities.”
Lib Dem councillor Sarah Nelmes said: “If the house is to be occupied by fewer than six residents, then planning permission is automatically granted by government order. In such cases, the council has no decision-making powers and therefore no ability to assess such a proposed development.
“In terms of an Article 4 Direction to withdraw these permitted development rights, the National Planning Policy Framework limits the ability of local planning authorities to implement Article 4 Directions unless they have significant justification and robust evidence. Furthermore, it is not considered appropriate to apply an Article 4 Direction to one solitary street on the premise that a single dwelling may be converted to an HMO.
“However, all HMOs must comply with the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation Regulations 2006. Any HMO rented to five or more individuals forming two or more households and sharing facilities must hold a mandatory licence issued by the council. No application for an HMO licence has currently been received by Residential Environmental Health for an address in Gade Bank.”
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