Residents of Batchley are being asked to respond to the news that Labour councillors have forced through permission for a landlord to build a seventh bedroom on the side of an existing property, known as a house of multiple occupancy, or HMO.
The decision was made at the Planning Committee held on 17th January 2018 where the applicant, Mr Stashu Rzezniczak had asked the council for permission to build a ground floor side extension to a property that he had already converted from a standard dwelling into bedsits and flats.
All Conservative councillors voted against the proposals on the grounds of noise and concerns about overcrowding, but they were defeated by the Labour councillors who used the power of the chairman’s casting vote to force the decision through.
Responding to the outcome, local resident Gemma Monaco who is standing as a Conservative candidate at the local elections in May said:
“Parts of Batchley already struggle with parking, noise and we already have a number of properties that are designated HMOs. I am not convinced this is the right approach when local people are already raising concerns about infrastructure around here.”
“People who live on the part of Hawthorn Road where this application relates to already struggle for parking. I don’t see how having a house with seven tenancies is going to help.”
“What was once a house with one or two cars outside is now effectively becoming a block of flats by stealth.”
Councillor Anita Clayton who represents Batchley & Brockhill added:
“Our infrastructure is already being put to the test with developments around the town, and residents are already complaining about noise and parking issues. I was shocked to hear that the Labour Party seem to be failing to listen to these concerns and decided to just force this issue through.”