Plans to convert family home into 'cramped' 13-bed HMO rejected
The proposal was met with fierce opposition including a protest being staged outside the property
By Cheshire Live
Plans to convert a family home in Chester into a cramped 13-bed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) have been rejected by Cheshire West and Chester Council following fierce opposition from residents [Source URL]. The proposal faced strong backlash, including a protest staged outside the property by local residents who argued the conversion would create overcrowded living conditions [Source URL].
Council officials determined the plan was unsuitable for the residential area, citing concerns over the density of occupants and the impact on the neighbourhood [Source URL]. The rejection means the property will remain a single-family home rather than being split into multiple rooms for 13 tenants [Source URL].
HMOs accommodating five or more people from two or more households require a licence from the local council, and operating without one is a criminal offence . This decision aligns with the council’s broader approach to scrutinising high-density conversions in residential zones to protect community standards [Source URL].