Two flats in Belvedere could be converted into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) for nine residents under a revised planning application submitted to Bexley Council.
RE Planning LLP, acting on behalf of applicant Mr I Sandhu, has proposed changing the use of 11 Upper Abbey Road into a HMO, with plans including extensions and a roof conversion. The property is currently in use as two self-contained flats.
A previous application for the site sought to create a 10-bedroom HMO, but Bexley Council refused it over fears the development would result in an "over-intensification" of the house and lead to "adverse impacts" on noise and parking demand.
Revised Layout Addresses Council Concerns
The design and access statement for the current application argues that these concerns have been addressed by reducing the occupancy to nine people, including changing the internal layout to comprise only two bedrooms at ground level.
A third proposed ground floor bedroom in the previous scheme has now been replaced with a cycle and bin storage area, which the statement calls a "significant improvement" on the previous application. The first and second floor layouts remain unchanged, with five bedrooms planned on the first floor and two on the second floor.
A first floor side extension, garage conversion and roof conversion are all proposed to facilitate the nine rooms and living space.
Applicant Defends Revised Proposals
The design and access statement said: "The application continues to seek planning permission for a first floor side extension above the existing garage, an enlargement of the roof space and a conversion of the loft area to include the provision of two rear dormer additions and associated front rooflights.
"The internal layout has been amended to reduce occupancy to 9 persons, addressing the councils concerns over 'intensification'.
"The changes to the internal layout have a significant effect on the appearance of the site with the removal of the previous cycle stores to the rear and the bins previously shown as being stored in the front garden."
Bexley Council is expected to make a decision on the plans by December 22.
