Planners have recommended the go-ahead for a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) in Carisbrooke — despite residents’ objections and a petition.
Two Saints, a provider of the Isle of Wight Council’s homeless pathway, is seeking permission to change the Castle Lodge guest house, on Castle Road, into an 11-bed HMO for those trying to get off the streets. The not-for-profit service says the HMO would provide supported affordable housing accommodation for those who need it, reducing and preventing homelessness on the Island.
Residents would not be placed in the accommodation straight from the streets, but be at stage 2 of the homeless pathway, which was introduced last November. At that point, the homeless are deemed ready to live independently and successfully, and are able to ‘thrive and not negatively impact the local community’.
However, the planning application was called before the council’s planning committee by former ward member, Councillor John Hobart, who raised concerns about adding to the existing problems with a congregation of rough sleepers, drug takers and drinkers in the local area as well as the anti-social behaviour impact on local families, and the number of residents is too many.
A petition against the change of use was signed by 27 Castle Road residents, with 69 people officially submitting objections on the council’s planning register. The concerns were that it would adversely impact existing residents’ quality of life, community resilience and cohesion and a safe, secure and peaceful environment.
5 comments of support were received, reflecting the Island’s need for affordable housing, HMOs and homeless resources.
The council’s housing needs service manager said if the proposal was not agreed the risk was that the Island would see an increase in rough sleeping and single homelessness. Since 2015 the Island had seen a 500% increase in rough sleeping – from 4 people in 2015 to 24 in 2018.
Hampshire Constabulary’s Designing Out Crime Officer said they supported the application but only for residents at the appropriate stage of their recovery.
The council’s planning officers said it was clear from the comments of the housing needs service manager and planning documents the proposal would make an important and vital contribution to supporting the strategies aimed at tackling Island housing needs.
Officers said while the concerns and fears of residents and others were fully acknowledged and appreciated, the HMO would complement, not negatively impact, the residential character and appearance of the site and surrounding area.
5 conditions have been attached to the proposed permission, including no more than 12 residents in the HMO at one time and a management plan being submitted including details about security measures (CCTV), how residents would be selected and supported and how complaints would be dealt with.
The decision will be made by the Isle of Wight Council’s Planning Committee on Monday 21st June.
This group, all saints, need to site these doss houses, next to their own homes, instead of trying to force them onto residents who have every right not to have this in their street.
yet again, another bunch of hand wringing do gooders, trampling all over the quality of life, that hard working, taxpaying residents have built for themselves.
you only have to look at the other HMO around to see that they are always filled with deadbeats off the street, despite claims of not being the case – as soon as the police bring in a homeless junkie, they ring round looking for a bed for it – and if there is one at a HMO, then it is shipped there.
it is the residents that get to decide whether this happens or not – this is not a communist state, where the council and others dictate that you will have lowlives living next door to you.
Living next to or near one of these HMOs would be an absolute nightmare. Perhaps the people who have recommended this goes ahead slap bang in the middle of a residential community, should try living next to it themselves. It is a real shame for people who are homeless and they need all the help they can get, IF they are decent law abiding people. These HMOs house alcoholics and druggies who care not for the community or the people in it. The police will be busy, they are always in attendance at these places.
The same happened at Greenstreet Ryde, with the salvo’s after a couple of years they ceased to keep order and the police are there frequently
I can’t wait to be invited to one of there many BBQ’s, It will be a nice chance to get away from sandown and meet new people, Innit tho!
Be careful you don’t spill the BBQ lighter fluid indoors. Whilst people don’t wish to have such living near them, I am sure they would not like to see the who place destroyed after our council tax has paid for these assets to society.
You been on the Chardonnay again oh my lovely eyes? X
Let’s put one next to sausage Bob, see how he likes it.