The Carmarthenshire Council Planning Committee is scheduled to consider a planning application for a change of use at a property in Llanelli. The committee will review a report detailing the proposal and any objections or representations received.

Change of Use at 84 Llwynhendy Road, Llanelli

The committee is scheduled to consider a planning application for the change of use of a dwelling house at 84 Llwynhendy Road, Llanelli, SA14 9HR to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) for a maximum of seven persons. This application, identified as PL/10904, has been brought before the committee due to the receipt of three or more separate third-party objections.

The report pack indicates that the proposal involves reconfiguring the ground floor of the property to accommodate three additional bedrooms, converting existing living and dining areas. Externally, only minor changes are proposed, such as replacing a lean-to roof.

The application has generated significant public interest, with 19 objections from 18 households. Concerns raised by residents and Llanelli Rural Council include potential negative impacts on highways, parking, and traffic, as well as residential amenity due to increased noise and activity. There are also concerns about the character of the area, with suggestions that the proposal represents an overdevelopment and could alter the established family-focused nature of the neighbourhood. Issues surrounding waste management, community safety, and the potential for anti-social behaviour have also been highlighted.

The report pack outlines that the principle of converting a dwelling to an HMO is established under Policy H3 of the adopted Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan (LDP) ¹, provided certain criteria are met, including no over-intensification of use, suitable parking provision, and safeguarding of the building's character and appearance. The report also references the emerging Revised Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan (RLDP) ², which includes similar considerations under policies such as HOM5 and PSD1.

The officer's appraisal within the report pack suggests that, based on the information available, the proposal is considered compliant with relevant planning policies. It notes that concerns regarding over-intensification, parking, and character are not supported by objective evidence of material planning harm. The report states that HMOs remain residential uses and are commonly located within residential areas and that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the level of occupation proposed would result in harm to the character or amenity of the area.³ Similarly, concerns about highway safety and parking are deemed speculative without substantive evidence of a material worsening of existing conditions. The report also addresses concerns about anti-social behaviour and crime, stating that Planning decisions must be based on evidence rather than assumptions regarding potential occupiers.⁴

The report concludes that, on balance, the proposal is recommended for approval, subject to several conditions. These conditions include standard time limits for commencement, adherence to approved plans, and specific requirements for obscure glazing in a ground-floor WC, the installation of bat and bird boxes, and the provision of a bin and recycling store.