The Planning Committee of Carmarthenshire Council is scheduled to consider a planning application for a change of use at a property in Llanelli. The committee will review a report detailing the proposal and any objections or representations received.

Change of Use at 84 Llwynhendy Road, Llanelli

A key item scheduled for discussion is a planning application for the change of use of a dwelling house at 84 Llwynhendy Road, Llanelli, SA14 9HR to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) for a maximum of seven persons. The report pack indicates that this application is being brought before the committee due to the receipt of three or more separate third-party objections.

The proposal involves reconfiguring the internal layout of the property to accommodate three additional bedrooms on the ground floor, in addition to the four bedrooms already present on the first floor. Externally, only minor changes are proposed, such as replacing a lean-to roof.

The report pack outlines several planning policies that are relevant to this application, including the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan (LDP) policies SP1 (Sustainable Places and Spaces), SP5 (Housing), GP1 (Sustainability and High Quality Design), GP2 (Development Limits), and H3 (Conversion and Subdivision of Existing Dwellings). Emerging policies from the Revised Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan 2018-2033, such as HOM5 (Conversion or Subdivision of Existing Dwellings) and PSD1 (Effective Design Solutions: Principles of Placemaking), are also noted as material considerations. National guidance from Welsh Government, including Future Wales: The National Plan 2040 and Planning Policy Wales Edition 12, is also referenced.

Consultation responses from Llanelli Rural Council have raised objections concerning inadequate supporting information, perceived harm to general residential amenity due to an intensification of use, and detrimental impacts on parking and highway safety. Concerns have also been raised regarding the proposal representing overdevelopment and incompatibility with the area's character, potentially creating an imbalance in housing type and introducing a transient population.

A significant number of public representations have been received, detailing concerns about increased parking demand, traffic congestion, highway safety, noise and disturbance from multiple occupants, and a loss of peace and quiet. Residents have also expressed worries about the character of the area, waste management, community safety, potential anti-social behaviour, and the adequacy of local services. Some objectors have highlighted a perceived lack of information regarding the proposed use and future management of the HMO.

The report pack's appraisal section suggests that the principle of converting an existing dwelling to an HMO is established under Policy H3 of the adopted LDP, provided certain criteria are met. It notes that while concerns have been raised regarding over-intensification, character, and parking, these require objective evidence of harm. The appraisal indicates that increased activity does not automatically equate to unacceptable intensification and that assertions about undermining community cohesion remain speculative without robust evidence. Similarly, concerns regarding parking and highway safety are not considered to be supported by substantive evidence demonstrating material worsening of existing conditions. The report also states that the proposal would not materially alter the building's appearance, scale, or design, thus remaining consistent with the prevailing residential character. Concerns about increased noise and disturbance are described as largely speculative, and objections relating to anti-social behaviour, crime, or substance misuse are noted as not being supported by evidence directly linking the proposed use to such outcomes. The report concludes that the proposal is recommended for approval, stating it is compliant with relevant local and national planning policies.

The report also mentions the duty to improve the economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being of Wales under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The recommendation is for approval, subject to several conditions, including the commencement of development within five years, adherence to approved plans, and specific requirements for obscure glazing in a ground-floor WC, installation of bat and bird boxes, and details of bin and recycling storage.