PLANNING officers have made a delegated decision to give the green light for a recently built family home to be turned into an eight-room House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) despite residents' objections.

In April, Vision Partners Homes Limited, sought permission to turn the single family home at 109 Humber Avenue, South Ockendon, on the junction with Garron Lane, into an eight-bedroom HMO by dividing a living room to make two extra bedrooms.

Residents hit back at the scheme saying it would "significantly increase density in a quiet, family-oriented street". They were also concerned the development was out of character with surrounding single-family homes and the property was "not suitable for eight separate households."

Local councillors in the Belhus ward, Tory group leader Cllr George Coxshall and Labour cabinet members Victoria Holloway and Mark Hurrell (who is housing portfolio holder), have not commented or called the matter in for the planning committee to consider.

The building plot on the junction of Humber Avenue and Garron Lane

An initial application to build a spacious six-bedroom home was approved in 2023 by Thurrock Council and the house, on a corner plot, was subsequenlty built.

Now a change of use for the property has been allowed despite residents' objections,

Stephen Brennan of Hamble Lane, South Ockendon, was one of those who commented, saying: "The development is only the size of a normal detached house, however this has obviously been built as a HMO.

"The house does not look suitable for occupation by eight people/ families, and its close proximity to a school raises safety concerns. I also have concerns about parking, traffic, visitors from out of area and the extra rubbish and associated smells, plus the possibility of antisocial behaviour associated with the property being used in this way."

Sai Chand Guttha of Humber Avenue, South Ockendon, added: "This section of Humber Avenue consists of just eight properties, all of which are occupied by single-family households. There are currently no HMOs on this stretch. The proposed development would double the number of households on the street in a single move, introducing a drastically higher density that is completely out of keeping with the established character of the area.

"This is a quiet, family-oriented residential street with many households having children. The introduction of a high-occupancy HMO would significantly alter the social and residential fabric of the neighbourhood, disrupting the cohesion and peaceful environment currently enjoyed by residents."

The layout of the eight bed HMO.

In a report planning officers acknowledged the concerns, saying: "Formal comments were received from neighbouring residents raising concerns in relation to the proposed change of use.

"These concerns include the potential for environmental pollution, odours, and litter; the risk of anti-social behaviour and increased safety concerns due to the proximity to a nearby school; and the perception that the proposal would be out of keeping with the predominantly single-family residential character of the area."

However, they rejected them, saying: "These matters have been carefully considered as part of the assessment. While the concerns around pollution, litter, and odour are noted, there is no reason to believe that the proposed HMO use would give rise to significant environmental harm beyond that of a typical residential property. Waste storage and collection arrangements would remain in accordance with Council standards."

Officers added: "While concerns raised by local residents are acknowledged, they do not constitute material planning considerations and therefore cannot be given weight in the determination of the application."

In their application, Vision Partners Homes said: "The site is positioned uniquely in a corner plot as a detached house with its own access and ample parking spaces, meaning there will be no disturbance to neighbours in terms of movement of vehicles or of people."