Plans to expand a shared house in Southampton have provoked a fierce backlash.

Residents living near the existing five-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Livingstone Road have opposed a planning application for a loft conversion.

Some nearby residents have said this will affect their sleep.

One resident said: “As I live in a semi-detached house of similar design and structure, (joined to an HMO) I know that the stairs are next to the party wall and using them noisily at night causes sleep deprivation, the council will not even accept complaints on that and agent/owner have no authority to prevent it, cannot do so.

“I know from experience having suffered year-long periods of sleep deprivation by noisy HMO stair use and door banging up until last year.”

Another resident said the HMO would impact the ‘already struggling’ sewer system.

They said: “There are already a lot of people living in HMOs and flats in the area so the Victorian/Edwardian sewer/drainage system is already struggling.

“Rats are using these systems to get into houses causing an environmental health hazard. More people living in an overpopulated area can only make this worse.”

Another issue brought up was parking in the area. The resident added: “There are so many people that live on the street on a temporary basis (students yearly) that there is not enough on-street parking for all residents especially during term time.

“We are unlikely to reach the threshold for a parking permit scheme as many students don't participate in any questionnaires about a scheme.

“The parking is especially bad during the evenings and elderly residents have had occasions where they have had to park streets away.”

Another said: “This is a 5-bedroom HMO wanting to change its use to a 7-bedroom HMO using the permitted development brought in by the government in 2019 whose main aim was to help families expand their properties without the requirement to move.

“The Bevois ward has more than its fair share of HMOs and increasing the number of occupants in this area will have a negative impact on the area.”

A decision will be made by Southampton City Council on applicant Richard Cumpsty's bid at a later date.