The controversial planning application in Bexley received over 100 objections
17:15, 10 Oct 2025Updated 17:21, 10 Oct 2025
48 West Heath Road in Bexley(Image: Cameron Blackshaw)
Controversial plans to transform a family-sized house in Bexley into a 24-person HMO have been refused.
Planners thought the HMO would negatively impact neighbours due to the potential for an increase in noise and disturbance from the high-occupancy property.
Plans to convert 48 West Heath Road—a large semi-detached property that has been vacant for several years—into a 12-bedroom HMO that could house up to 24 occupants were submitted to Bexley Council at the end of July. The planning application received over 100 objections.
Those living near to 48 West Heath Road also told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they feared the HMO could become a source of antisocial behaviour and its occupants would be “!transient people”.
Some also had concerns about parking and privacy, with Pinewood Road residents believing a proposed outside terrace would provide direct views into the back of their homes.
Bexley Council refused the 24-person HMO planning application yesterday (October 9) citing several reasons, including the amount of bins the property would need.
The refusal notice said: “The proposal would require the introduction of significant refuse bins and a cycle store to the front of the site which would result in visual clutter and erode the residential character of the area, harmful to, and out of character with, the surrounding neighbourhood.”
Planning officers also thought the application lacked an accurate Parking Stress Survey, which meant it could cause “parking stress and unsafe parking” in the surrounding streets. The application was also refused for being assessed as not fire safe.
Since 2018 Bexley Council has had a mandatory HMO licensing scheme that applies to all HMOs occupied by five or more persons in two or more households.
In terms of planning powers Bexley also has an Article 4 Direction in place which allows it to remove permitted development rights for smaller HMOs. Without that, conversions to small HMOs would be possible without the Planning Committee having a say, though all those with seven or more occupants would have required full planning permission anyway.
Got a story? email cameron.blackshaw@reachplc.com
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