Proposal for house of multiple occupation to accommodate some Ballymena United players during football season is refused

The application related to change of use from a mid-terrace four-bedroom house with one bathroom to a five bedroom HMO.

Principal planning officer Gary McGuinness told the committee the application sought to convert a ground floor living room into a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom as well as creating a further two en-suites on the first floor, converting the bathroom to an en-suite and adding an en-suite to the bedroom on the second floor.

He described the proposed increase in bedrooms as “modest” and also said “no additional impact on neighbouring properties is anticipated”.

He said there were 40 objections to the proposal expressing concern over increase in density, loss of character, parking provision and HMO licensing, adding that these issues have been fully considered.

He reported two letters of support from Ballymena United Football Club which indicated the facility would be used by some players.

Mr McGuinness went on to say it was considered the proposed change of use would not result in unacceptable adverse impact on amenity and the recommendation was planning permission be granted.

Planning agent Ally Olphert told the committee when the property was purchased, it was in a “very poor state and had been vacant for some time and without investment, the property would be uninhabitable”.

He stated the applicant, Grovehill Property Investment, are “responsible HMO operators” in the private rental sector and have had “no history of complaints” from neighbours or council bodies.

More Sustainable

He indicated the proposed HMO would provide accommodation for players with Ballymena United during the playing season. He noted the club pays £9,000 per month for accommodation in hotels, saying this would be a “more sustainable, cost effective solution”.

Mr Olphert added the proposal “would not give rise to any unacceptable impact on parking” as car-sharing arrangements are in place.

He commented there is “well-documented pressure on the local housing market” and the proposed development “can make a positive contribution to addressing this demand”.

He added it would provide accommodation for five individuals and would “bring a vacant dwelling back into productive use and support a key local sporting organisation”.

Larne Lough DUP Alderman Paul Reid stated: “Who the residents are going to be is not of material interest to the committee. In reference to parking, DfI do have an issue with parking. How do you plan to address that?”

Mr Olphert said parking could be accommodated on-street. He pointed out there would be very limited increase in the number of parking spaces required.

Ald Reid maintained that DfI has indicated parking is “sub-standard”. However, Mr McGuinness stated if DfI had an issue with parking, they would have recommended reasons for refusal, adding that they did not.

Coast Road DUP Cllr Angela Smyth queried the number of potential occupants. Acting head of planning Kyle Patterson acknowledged five bedrooms could accommodate ten people.

A proposal by Ald Reid, seconded by Ballymena DUP Cllr Reuben Glover, to refuse permission saying it is contrary to planning policy went through by five votes to three with one abstention.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter