Wirral Council has rejected plans to accommodate more than 20 people in a house in Tranmere. The application, which was branded “terrible” by a councillor, sought to house up to 22 people in a six-bedroom house, with just one kitchen.

The plans to turn 32 Westbank Road into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) proved highly controversial with both local residents and councillors, despite planning documents claiming having up to four people living in a bedroom constitutes “high-quality residential accommodation” with “generous” sized bedrooms.

The plans would have seen five of the rooms each housing a family of four, with a sixth room housing just two people – totalling up to 22 people across the property. Each of the six rooms would have had its own ensuite.

Soon after the plans were revealed, local Prenton ward councillor, Naomi Graham, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that she had serious concerns. She said, “The living conditions for possible future residents is my overriding concern.”

Cllr Graham also took issue with a perceived lack of car parking and cycle storage spaces in the plans. Her Green Party colleague for the neighbouring Birkenhead and Tranmere ward, Cllr Pat Cleary, shared Cllr Graham’s concerns, and described it as “a terrible application with terrible conditions,” and added, “I fully expect this to be thrown out by officers.” A prediction which was since proved to be correct.

A council report into the plans, which led to the application’s refusal, stated, “The applicant has not demonstrated the room is large enough to provide a dining table and suitable facilities within the kitchen for the storage of food, refrigeration and freezer space.

“Given the bedrooms are not big enough for a dining table, it is assumed residents are expected to eat on their laps sitting on a bed, which is not considered to be functional or healthy living environment.”

The report also took issue with the narrow corridors, which would have to accommodate the movements of all the residents, adding, “The comings and goings of 22 people in this tight space may cause conflict.” The report concluded that the plans “would result in unacceptable, cramped living conditions for the future occupants”.

Image: Cllrs Pat Cleary and Naomi Graham at 32 Westbank Road. Credit: Andrew Spence

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