Plans for 11-person HMO at Chandler’s Ford draw objections

Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC) has received 71 objections and one letter of support for the proposed change of use of 232 Leigh Road from a single dwellinghouse to a house in multiple cccupation (HMO).

The proposal follows planning permission granted earlier this year for a two-storey rear extension, garage conversion and loft conversion, with several residents claiming they believed the enlarged property would remain a family home.

Michelle Enticknap, who lives at 234 Leigh Road, submitted comments to the council saying she had no objection to the earlier extension plans because she understood the house would remain a family dwelling.

She said the proposed HMO would have a "negative impact" on neighbouring residents and raised concerns about increased comings and goings, noise, privacy and vehicles accessing the property from Leigh Road.

Several objections focused on traffic and highway safety, with residents arguing Leigh Road is already heavily congested and that additional vehicle movements could increase pressure on surrounding roads.

Kai Elliott, of Leigh Road, said: "A pedestrian has sadly lost their life on this road earlier this year.

"Increasing the number of vehicle movements associated with an 11-person HMO would inevitably increase the number of potential interactions between vehicles and pedestrians on an already concerning road."

Other residents highlighted the number of children who walk along Leigh Road to nearby schools and questioned whether the road could safely accommodate additional traffic.

Elizabeth Foster said: "One space per room is not sufficient, some may have two cars and most will have visitors at times."

Several residents also argued the proposal would be out of character with what they described as a family-orientated residential area.

Michelle Wong, of 278 Leigh Road, said the scheme represented "severe overdevelopment" that was "completely out of character with the area".

A number of objectors also questioned whether the extension approved earlier this year had always been intended to pave the way for a future HMO application.

Amanda Moore said the extension was "likely a stepping stone" towards a change of use application, while another resident, Nicholas Hartwell, said the HMO had "clearly been the plan all along".

Some residents also raised concerns that the property could be used to house asylum seekers or migrants, although the application does not specify who would live there.

However, the applicant says the proposal should be considered separately from the extension works approved earlier this year because it relates only to the future use of the property.

Planning documents state the enlarged house would accommodate 11 residents, each with an ensuite bedroom, alongside shared kitchen, living and dining areas and access to a rear garden.

The applicant says there are 11 parking spaces on site, which would meet residents' needs without adding pressure to surrounding roads.

The planning statement also says the property would be "professionally" managed, with rules covering noise, visitors, waste, parking and resident behaviour.

One resident supported the proposal, describing it as "an excellent use of a large residential property" that would provide "much needed accommodation" for people requiring a secure home.

The consultation period for application F/26/102072 is due to end on October 9.