A COMMUNITY leader in Wrexham has voiced his anger after permission after plans to house up to eight people in a small terraced house were granted on appeal.

An application to convert a property on Park Street in Rhosddu into a five-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) was refused by councillors in January because of concerns about the safety of pedestrians.

It came after they were told the property was located on a narrow-one way street.

Objections were also raised on the basis that tenants would be crammed into the building.

However Clive Nield, an inspector appointed by the Welsh Government, has now overturned Wrexham Council’s planning committee’s decision.

Cllr Marc Jones, who represents Rhosddu, has criticised the move and said the views of neighbours had been ignored.

He said: “This goes against the local planning committee‘s decision and ignores the concerns raised by myself and local residents.

“The inspector claims parking for eight people would not be any worse than for a family.

“He admits the amenity space is below guidance levels for eight people but says it’s no big deal and it’s limited for a family anyway.

“There’s a big difference between eight individual people living under one roof and a family in terms of needing outdoor space.

“This is a poor decision by the Planning Inspectorate and confirms my view that local communities do not have enough say in planning matters.”

Cllr Jones, who is vice-chair of the planning committee, also refuted the inspector’s claim that the area is well served by public transport.

But Clive Nield from the Planning Inspectorate said the appeal should be allowed to provide accommodation which meets the needs of the community.

In his decision notice he said: “My conclusion is the change of use to HMO would be likely to be no worse than neutral insofar as private car use is concerned in comparison with use of the property as a family dwelling.

“I do not consider it would materially affect the present level of on-street parking or increase the risks to pedestrian and highway safety.

“The limited amount of private amenity space available also falls well short of the level normally considered acceptable for a family dwelling and is a feature of this densely developed urban area.

“However, there are public open spaces only a few hundred metres away and the yard is adequate for clothes drying and the storage of bicycles and bins.

“I have taken these matters into account as well as the need for housing stock to be varied in nature to meet the needs of everyone in society."