A retrospective planning application to turn a home into a small house in multiple occupation (HMO) is recommended for approval by councillors next week.
Neighbours have objected to the proposal by Louise Gauld, 52, for a change of use to convert 23 Byron Street, in Hove, from a single home into a four-bedroom shared house for four people.
Brighton and Hove City Council received seven letters objecting to the plan, raising concerns about sound insulation, existing noise as the building is already operating as an HMO and a change of character for the area.
One anonymous objector, whose details were redacted by the council, said: “The houses have poor noise insulation and very tiny backyards all adjoining each other.
“Number 23 Byron Street has a lot of young people coming and going and the current residents make a lot of inconsiderate noise, particularly in their yard late at night.”
Another anonymous objector, whose details were also redacted by the council, said: “Parking in the area is already extremely challenging due to ongoing road closures and roadworks.
“Additional vehicles associated with an HMO would intensify the existing pressure and raise concerns around access and safety.
There are 77 homes within 50 metres of the property but only one of them appears to be shared house, meaning the proposal complies with council policy on the concentration of HMOs.
In the wider neighbourhood, fewer than 2 per cent of homes are shared houses, lower than the 20 per cent limit set by the council.
The council’s Planning Committee is due to meet at Hove Town Hall at 2pm on Wednesday 6 May. The meeting is scheduled to be webcast.






