PLANS to create a six-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Wrexham have been placed on hold amid concerns over parking.

Proposals were submitted to Wrexham Council to convert an existing house on Beechley Road in Hightown to accommodate a total of seven people.

The application was recommended for approval by officers, who said the four parking spaces provided would be enough for those living there.

However, ward councillor Graham Rogers said the development would have a negative impact on other residents.

He highlighted a petition signed by dozens of residents who were also unhappy about the excessive number of HMOs in the area.

Addressing a planning committee meeting, he said: “There have been letters expressing concerns from residents in Beechley Road, along with a petition with 90 signatures.

“For a street of Beechley Road’s size, it speaks volumes.

“For those who are unfamiliar with Beechley Road, there is an issue with properties who own more than one vehicle, which causes parking issues on both sides.

“Should committee members decide to grant permission for number 82, the number will increase to seven HMOs.”

In a report Lawrence Isted, the authority’s head of planning, said the application was in fitting with its policies.

The council’s guidelines state new developments should not result in an area having more than 10 per cent of HMOs within a 50 metre radius.

But a diagram showing the radius of the site on Beechley Road was questioned by several councillors, including Cllr Adrienne Jeorrett who lives on the street.

She said: “I am very concerned about where you’ve put the 50m radius, which takes in so many roads there.

“I don’t think it actually gives a true picture of the HMOs in Beechley Road, which have changed the dynamic and the community spirit of the road enormously.

“For those reasons I can’t support a HMO in this area and that 50m radius is not appropriate.”

Committee members voted in favour of carrying out a site visit to assess the impact of the scheme on the area.

Councillors will go to see the house on Friday, November 16.