A 12-bedroom house in multiple occupation is set to replace a former guest house in New Brighton after plans were approved last night.
Wirral Council’s planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the plan to turn the former Albion Guest House, at 41 Albion Street, into a house in multiple occupation (HMO).
In recent times, the committee has slated several HMO plans, with some being rejected for what councillors saw as cramming residents into small spaces.
But this plan was praised for giving each future occupant an ensuite bathroom and a big enough bedroom.
Despite this, local resident Paul Martin, who is standing as a candidate for Labour in New Brighton in May’s council elections, presented a petition of 31 signatures against the plan.
Mr Martin said the reason for HMO applications was clear, as they can yield huge sums in rent for property owners.
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He argued that you can have too many HMOs in an area affecting its character, noting that another HMO has been approved around the corner in Gayton Avenue.
Labour councillor Tony Jones, who is not on the committee but was speaking as a New Brighton member, asked if it is really acceptable for people to live in such a concentrated group?
He said one resident he had spoken to had likened the conditions in HMOs to “human rabbit hutches”.
Cllr Jones added that the one car parking space provided as part of the plan was not sufficient on an already congested road.
But councillors on the committee said this HMO plan was far better than others they had seen.
Conservative councillor Kathy Hodson said the fact that all the rooms had ensuite bathrooms was pleasing. She also praised the size of the bedrooms.
Colleagues representing Labour agreed.
Cllr Steve Foulkes, a Labour member for Claughton, noted that the bedrooms were well above the minimum size requirement and added that councillors would have to get used to plans with little parking space due to the climate emergency.
One councillor who has frequently opposed HMOs in the past was also persuaded to support the plan.
While arguing that no-one builds an HMO out of the goodness of their heart, they do it to maximise income, Labour councillor Paul Stuart said this plan was different to other plans he has opposed.
The “rabbit hutches” of other proposals were not being offered here and Cllr Stuart thought the standard of facilities was good enough to make him vote in favour of the application.
