Grantham 'treated like dumping ground' over HMOs

Three houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) with a total of 34 bedrooms have been approved, after the Planning Inspectorate overturned a council decision to turn them down.

South Kesteven District Council refused the application for Avenue Road, Grantham after concerns over congestion and a lack of parking.

However, the Planning Inspectorate ruled the HMO "would not cause unacceptable harm" to the character and appearance of the area.

Councillor Matthew Bailey said Grantham was "being treated like a dumping ground" and the HMO would "cram as many people as possible into as little space as possible, with no thought for the parking, the bins, the noise or the families who already live there".

JG Property Solutions Ltd applied to the council to convert the current offices into a total of 34 bedrooms across three HMOs, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Jack Gill from the company said: "The proposal will provide much-needed accommodation for young professionals in Grantham.

"All of the units are self-contained, with their own en-suite facilities and kitchenettes, providing good-quality accommodation rather than simply increasing the number of occupants within an existing residential property."

The Planning Inspectorate said the development "would not cause unacceptable harm to the living conditions of the occupiers of neighbouring properties by reason of noise and disturbance".

Bailey said: "Local people fought this. Their council listened and refused it. And a government inspector hundreds of miles away has overruled every one of us.

"That is not how local decisions should be made, and every resident in Grantham should be angry about it."

Councillor Charmaine Morgan said: "I am surprised that the inspector didn't support the council but I do understand that the quality of housing provided is superior.

"We may not like this outcome but at least it will be providing good housing for people."

The application stated two of the HMOs would be made up of 11 bedrooms with a kitchen/dining room and laundry area, while the third would have 12 bedrooms.

There will be parking for up to 14 vehicles and 10 bicycles.

The Planning Inspectorate stated that the development would begin no later than three years from the date of the decision.

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