Detached home in Leamington to be converted into a five-bed 'house share' in spite of concerns from the town council and neighbours

A detached home in Leamington is to be converted into a HMO (house in multiple occupation) in spite of concerns from the town council and neighbours worried about the lack of parking.

The approval for 9 Silver Birch Grove was among a number of delegated planning decisions taken by Warwick District Council’s head of development services in consultation with chair and vice-chair of the planning committee.

The property’s owner, Mrs Punj, had wanted to convert the house into a six-bed HMO but the plans were amended to a five-bed because one of the bedrooms did not meet the minimum space standards.

Both Royal Leamington Spa Town Council and neighbours had raised the lack of parking among their objections but in her report, planning officer Rebecca Compton explained that there would be the same number of bedrooms so no extra parking would be needed.

She explained: “Concerns have been raised from the town council and local residents regarding parking. The site benefits from front driveway parking with sufficient space to accommodate two parking spaces.

“The existing property is a five/six-bedroomed dwelling which is required to provide three off-road parking spaces. The parking requirement for the proposed five-bed HMO would also be three spaces.

"Therefore, as there would be no net increase in the number of required car parking spaces and the proposed change of use would not generate additional demand to on-street parking, the proposal is considered to be acceptable.”