Cornwall Council has granted planning approval for the conversion of a property at 43 Higher Lux Street in Liskeard into a seven-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO). The application was made by Elliot Homes SW Ltd and covers the end-of-terrace, two-storey period house. In an HMO, the property is split into multiple bedrooms with a shared communal kitchen and bathroom, and rent is charged per bedroom rather than for the whole dwelling. This type of housing is often used for students and young people.
The applicant's planning agent told Cornwall Council: "This development has the potential to deliver additional accommodation which would be affordable and suitable for young people / couples and single people.
"A large communal kitchen is provided and large utility room. Each bedroom is ensuite and they are all large good sized rooms with adequate light and outlook. Indeed the HMO has been designed in close collaboration with the Council’s HMO licensing team to ensure the property complies with the required standards.
"With regard to outdoor amenity space, an outdoor area is allocated to the rear of the building, furthermore the site lies within close walking distance to a number of public open spaces within the town."
However, the proposals met with strong objections from neighbours and the care home next door. One objector stated: "The introduction of a seven-bedroom HMO would inevitably increase the number of occupants, visitors, vehicles and day-to-day activity, resulting in a further cumulative increase in noise.
"I am particularly concerned about noise from people socialising outside, late-night arrivals and departures, doors slamming, deliveries, and the general comings and goings associated with a property occupied by multiple unrelated residents.
"I also have concerns regarding parking and highway safety. A seven-bedroom HMO is likely to generate additional vehicle ownership and demand for on-street parking. Higher Lux Street already experiences parking pressures, and further demand could increase congestion, make parking more difficult for existing residents and visitors, and potentially affect access along the street."
A representative of Beechlawn Residential care home stated: "Beechlawn Residential care home is an established, vital community asset providing dedicated residential care for 42 elderly, frail, and highly vulnerable individuals. Many of these residents live with advanced dementia and severe cognitive impairments. Their safety, health, and cognitive stability rely entirely on a stable, peaceful, and highly predictable environment.
"We object to this development on two distinct levels: firstly, the fundamental incompatibility of the proposed use next to a highly sensitive care facility; and secondly, the profound deficiencies and invalid nature of the current submission."
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Concerns about the lack of car parking and access through the care home were raised, but Cornwall Council stated in its approval documents that these were civil matters, not a planning issue.
Council Approves Liskeard HMO Conversion Over Objections