Latest news with #LRJPlanningLtd
South Wales Argus
07-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Brynglas Road, Newport, could become shared house for six
A planning application has been submitted, seeking permission to convert a three-bedroom house on Brynglas Road into a six-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). The application, submitted by LRJ Planning Ltd on behalf of Mr Grainger Jones, includes plans to add a new window on the first-floor front of the property. The house is in a residential area with good access to public transport and local amenities, which means it is close to essential services. The proposed development aims to provide affordable, shared accommodation in a central urban location. The design has been planned to fit in with the existing look of the street. The new front-facing window will be built to match the style of neighbouring homes. The planning statement says the new use will not lead to too many HMOs in the area, following Newport City Council's rule that no more than 10% of homes within a 50-metre radius should be HMOs. The development is expected to have no major impact on neighbouring properties in terms of noise or disturbance. A detailed parking survey included in the application shows that there is enough on-street parking even during peak hours, despite the property not having off-street parking. The house's closeness to public transport and walkable amenities means it is classed as a sustainable development, which reduces the need for private vehicles. The application has been checked against national planning guidance, including Planning Policy Wales and the Newport Local Development Plan (LDP). The proposal meets policies on sustainability, general amenity, highways, HMOs, and parking, and supports objectives outlined in Llwybr Newydd: the Wales Transport Strategy 2021. With a growing demand for flexible, low-cost accommodation, the proposed HMO at Brynglas Road is expected to offer a useful housing option for individuals, especially those without regular access to a car. The application states its commitment to improving housing diversity while maintaining neighbourhood integrity. The application was submitted and validated on June 19 and is currently under consultation until July 15. The public can comment on the application before it is decided by the council. People can see the full application on Newport City Council's planning portal using the reference number 25/0496. The official description of a HMO states: "A HMO is a house that is occupied by more than one household and where more than one household shares an amenity such as a bathroom, toilet, or cooking facilities. "A household is a single person or members of the same family who live together. "This includes people who are married or living together, relatives, and half-relatives."
South Wales Argus
09-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Plans to convert part of Newport shop into flats submitted
The proposal involves transforming the lower ground and first floors of the building at 12 Commercial Road, Newport, into two flats. The applicant, Mr Brooks, aims to enlarge the existing lower ground floor flat and create a new flat on the first floor. Currently, the lower ground floor is used partly for retail storage, with the ground floor space serving as a shop. The proposal includes reconfiguring these spaces to accommodate the new flats. Rear access to the site is available from Ruperra Lane. The planning statement submitted with the application states that the development is considered acceptable as it supports efficient land use and sustainability goals. The site is within the defined urban settlement boundary and is near public transport links. No external changes to the building are proposed, and the design is said to respect the local context and distinctiveness. The planning statement asserts that the development will have no adverse impact on neighbour amenity, supported by Local Development Plan (LDP) policies. No off-street parking is provided in the proposal. However, this is justified based on the site's location within walking distance of local amenities and public transport, aligning with national sustainability policies. The site is in Flood Zone 3. Still, the planning statement notes that all proposed residential units are at or above ground floor level, ensuring refuge above potential flood levels, according to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) data. The application was submitted by LRJ Planning Ltd on behalf of Mr Brooks. The planning statement concludes by asserting full compliance with national and local planning policies, requesting that permission be granted based on the policy alignment and sustainability of the scheme. The building is not within any designated areas such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), National Parks, or local landscape areas, and there are no designated heritage assets nearby. A decision on the application has not yet been made. The planning application can be viewed on the Newport City Council website, searching for application number 25/0381.
South Wales Argus
11-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Newport property owner fights to keep house as HMO
The owner of the property on Caerleon Road in Newport, has lodged a certificate of lawfulness application to keep using the property as a six-person HMO. A planning statement prepared by LRJ Planning Ltd claims the property has been continuously used as an HMO since July 2014. This predates a February 2016 planning rule change, which classified smaller HMOs under Use Class C4. The application, made under Section 191(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, argues the use of the property as an HMO is lawful based on the balance of probability. The evidence submitted includes statutory declarations from both the current and previous owners, as well as HMO licences dated July 27, 2017, December 11, 2019 (draft), January 20, 2020, and February 18, 2025. An email also states the original HMO licence was issued in July 2014. The application also includes rent payment summaries, council tax liability records, utility bills, and tenancy agreements, all dating back to 2019. The planning statement concludes that the cumulative evidence proves the property has been lawfully used as a C4 HMO since at least July 2014, and remained in that use through the relevant regulatory change in February 2016. The application is asking the Local Planning Authority to issue a certificate of lawfulness confirming this status. A decision date has not yet been provided.
