Plans have been submitted for a HMO (house in multiple occupation) in a street in an area of Cardiff becoming increasingly dominated by such properties. A planning application has been entered for 48 Harriet Street to make changes to the property and use it as a class C4 HMO.
According to Cardiff Council's most recent data, issued between 2019 and 2021,, 84 of the houses in Harriet Street are HMOs and only 29 aren't. If this data is still correct this new HMO being approved would mean single-occupancy homes make up less than a quarter of Harriet Street's houses.
Cathays is home to a big chunk of Cardiff's student population and many of them live in HMOs along or near Woodville Road, Cathays Terrace, and Crwys Road. It isn't clear whether the new HMO would be used for students or other occupants.
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Many in Cathays have been unhappy with the number of HMOs being approved in the area. Cathays also has several of the streets with the highest number of parking permits in Cardiff and some have had real issues with parking.
In late 2021 planning permission was sought by a different agent to the one applying for number 48 for a change of use of both 83 and 85 Harriet Street into HMOs. Local MP Jo Stevens lodged an objection citing "unacceptable cumulative adverse impacts" on the area including less community cohesion, higher demands on infrastructure, and increased crime and anti-social behaviour.
Ward councillors Sarah Merry, Norma Mackie, and Christopher Weaver also objected on similar grounds. Both applications were withdrawn just over a month after they were entered.
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