Family-sized house is to become home to 10 people in Wisbech despite objections from neighbours

Plans to convert a Wisbech home into a house of multiple occupation for 10 people has been granted despite major concerns from neighbouring residents.

Norwich-run family firm Lilley Investments Ltd, plan to convert 76 Victoria Road into a six bedroom property offering two communal kitchens and a living/dining room together with two shower rooms and say their aim is to "improve the standard of multi-let and buy to let properties in the town and wider East Anglian Areas.

"As part of our drive we are excited about engaging /partner with Fenland District Council’s planning and housing teams to support improvements in accommodation- safety standards, amenity space and internal space to deliver great houses that will inspire the working community."

Adding their goal is "to provide high quality affordable housing for our customers that meet and exceed the expectations of all our stakeholders".
Peter Humphrey Associates in a design and access statement they prepared on behalf of applicants Claire and Richard Lilley, claims: "The new applicants have the necessary experience to convert the existing dwelling into a six bedroom HMO and ensure that it abides by the law.

"As part of the client’s business model, they engage with good quality lettings business to fully manage each property, set aside a percentage of the rent every month to support ongoing maintenance and coordinate scheduled cleaning (including waste management) and monthly inspection visits with their lettings company to ensure that the property is well looked after."

However, their proposals, which were approved by Fenland planners under delegated powers on Friday (3), have met with opposition from other residents in Victoria Road who fear the move to convert the property, which was formerly an assisted residential care home owned by the NHS, into an HMO will spark anti-social behaviour (ASB) issues in the area, and will also cause problems with parking, as the property only has space for two cars on site.

Jonathan Betts, who is among those to object, said: "Two spaces for on-site existing parking is grossly insufficient for the number of residents x10. Will place excessive pressure on local parking at an already dangerous junction, earmarked for double yellow lines.

"As a law enforcement professional I know only too well the impact upon the neighbourhood by HMOs upon the ASB in an area. For 10 'unrelated' persons with visitors for such to reside in a property intended for around five related persons in an unsupervised environment raises grave cause concerns."

He claims the area is already "disproportionately served by HMOs, children's homes, high density social housing and special schools" and said: "To grant this application is to exacerbate this in ignorance of the wellbeing and peace of the local communities' expectations and human rights."

Many of his concerns were echoed by Frances Cott who also raised fears of ASB and parking.

Mrs C M Landler was among those to raise concerns over drainage, while another resident wanted reassurances over the maintenance of the garden.

However, an officer's report on the application argued: "The proposal would not harm the area's character or appearance. It is not considered that the increase in occupancy would have any significant impact on the existing residential amenities of adjoining neighbours."

It added: "Whilst the comments of the neighbouring households are noted and acknowledged any impacts associated with the change of use are not considered to be so significant that they would render the proposal unacceptable."