Agenda item

            The Planning Manager summarised the application which had been deferred by the Committee at its meeting in November, 2024 and the Committee had subsequently undertake a site visit to the application site.

            He explained that, during the site visit, it had become apparent that the plans of the rear yard had been inaccurate and that amended plans had been submitted which showed the rear amenity space was 9.4sqm rather than 12.9sqm and that the yard therefore was not large enough to accommodate the bins required to support a five-bedroom HMO property and refusal of the application had been recommended in the report to the January meeting of the Committee.

            He stated that, since publication of the report before the Committee, amended plans had been submitted which had reduced the proposal from a five-bedroom HMO to a four-bedroom HMO with a resulting larger kitchen, dining and living room.

            He explained that the reduction in bedrooms meant that there was sufficient space for bin storage and that, having regard to the Local Development Plan and other material considerations, the application, on balance, was considered acceptable and it was recommended that the application be approved, subject to conditions.

            The Chairperson welcomed Mr. A. Olphert, Create Architecture, to the meeting.

            Mr. Olphert explained that the property had been listed for sale in 2022, however, it went unsold due to its poor condition and was purchased by the applicant in 2024.  He stated that, whilst the property lay derelict, its condition deteriorated further and there had been penetrating damp throughout, rising damp, structural issues and falling lintels to the front façade.

            He stated that, without the applicant’s intervention which addressed all of the aforementioned issues, the property would be uninhabitable.  He informed the Committee that the applicant was an experienced HMO investor with six fully licenced properties and three projects currently under construction, had never had a complaint submitted with regard to any of his properties, either from a tenant or neighbour.

            He explained that the applicant had been investing significant sums of money into run down, uninhabitable properties to return them to the housing market for young professionals.

            Mr. Olphert addressed the housing crisis and the number of derelict homes and stated that a HMO property could contribute positively to easing pressures on the housing market and that approval of the application would provide quality accommodation for four people working and living in Belfast and would bring the percentage of HMO properties on Woodcot Avenue to 2.7%, well below the 10% threshold.

            A number of Members commented on the housing crisis and stated that families were looking for homes in Belfast and that HMOs put pressure on the market and change the nature of residential areas.

            A Member pointed out that HMO properties were managed properties that were intended to improve the quality of shared housing and that whilst amenity space was a consideration, there was a need for shared accommodation in the city.

Proposal

            Moved by Alderman Lawlor,

            Seconded by Councillor Doran,

       “That the Committee agrees to refuse the application on grounds of insufficient amenity space and that authority be delegated to the Director of Planning and Building Control to finalise the wording of the refusal reasons.”

            On a vote, thirteen Members voted for the proposal and six against and it was declared carried.