New HMO in Belvedere would attract 'wrong type of people'

Bexley Council has received plans to convert a house into an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) for six people on Fremantle Road in Belvedere.

The plans, sent by Expansion Group, would involve knocking down the back extension and conservatory of the bungalow currently on the site. It would also include internal changes to fit six bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a communal bathroom and kitchen area.

Planning documents for the conversion said the two bedroom house has been empty for a number of years and needs refurbishment. Expansion Group had previously applied to Bexley Council to convert the house into an HMO in September 2022.

However, the plans were refused as they included a loft conversion which was reportedly “harmful” to the character of the property given its size and design.

The plans have received several objections from neighbours of the house. Residents said they felt there was no need for an HMO in the area, and worried about the loss of the family house.

One objection was summarised in council documents as: “The proposed development would attract the wrong type of people… The HMO would result in an increase in antisocial behaviour along Fremantle Road.”

Work has been carried out on the house to add extra bedrooms

Council documents said there are currently 17 known HMOs in the same postcode as the bungalow, with none on Fremantle Road. Council officers also said in their report that the development would not cause harm to the amenity of the surrounding houses.

The plans come after Bexley councillors expressed concerns on the number of HMOs being built in the borough at a planning meeting on March 2. Conservative Councillor Howard Jackson criticised council officers recommending plans for an HMO in Erith as there was no similar offering on the same road at the time, despite 52 HMOs already being in the same postcode.

Cllr Jackson said at the meeting: “I don’t think we should be doing it street by street. That seems ludicrous, because then we could end up with an HMO on every single street in the borough, and it seems like in some areas of Erith we’re already well on the way to having that.”

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Planning documents from Expansion Group said the development would make excellent use of the “rundown” bungalow and the resulting HMO would offer “luxurious” communal facilities. They said the size of the planned bedrooms also exceeds minimum standards set for such properties.

They said: “The proposed development will offer very high standards of living aimed at professional workers looking for one bedroom accommodation. With excellent travel links in and around London this property is situated in a desired location for commuters.”

The decision on the HMO in Belvedere will be made at a Bexley Council planning meeting on June 29.