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HMO will 'devalue my house' - claim protesters

Sarah-May BuccieriBBC
News imageBBC Lorraine Mitchell is wearing brown and black glasses, she has a blonde curly bob. She's standing in front of a house which has been blurred. BBC
Lorraine Mitchell, a nearby resident, has a petition against the plans which has amassed more than 70 signatures

People living in a street in Scunthorpe have said plans for a nearby house in multiple occupation (HMO) are “inappropriate”.

Residents on Asterby Road in the town said the proposals have made them “very worried”.

Foot Forward Property Investment applied to North Lincolnshire Council for planning permission for an extension to a property on Asterby Road.

The firm said they “attract the very highest standards of tenants”.

'We're not nimbys'

HMOs are made up of multiple residents, often students or young professionals, who rent their bedroom and share living facilities.

Lorraine Mitchell, 60, who lives close to the property believed the plans were “completely out of place”.

“I am not a nimby, these plans are not going to fit in,” Ms Mitchell said.

“I am not against HMOs, but this one is completely out of place,” she added.

News imageDonna Smethurst is smiling, she has long blond hair and blue eyes. She's wearing a white cardigan and is standing in front of a house with a white door. The background behind Donna is blurred.
Another resident Donna Smethurst, 38, said she was concerned about a fall in house prices

“There’s a risk these plans will devalue nearby properties,” Ms Smethurst said.

“Word can get around, if the road becomes a bad road, it can cause a lot of problems,” she added.

News imageNicola is smiling, she has brown eyes and freckles dappled across the right side of her cheek. She has a long blonde bob and is standing in front of a road which has been blurred.
Nicola Charles, 40, said she was worried about parking spaces

Nicola Charles has also signed the petition against the plans, citing concern around parking and traffic.

"Young kids playing on the street, its not safe," she said.

"There is just no space," she added.

News imageAn image of a house, a green skip is towards the right of the frame as a man is picking items from it. The house's white door is open as are the upstairs windows. In front of the property taped to a pole is a handwritten note which lists disagreements with the plans for the house.
The firm who are behind the proposals say the property will be a “high quality shared dwelling”

Foot Forward Property Investment have confirmed planning permission was being sought to turn the property into a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) for “working professionals”.

The firm has said residents’ concerns were “completely incorrect” and included “totally inappropriate allegations”.

The developer said they did not tolerate “any degree of anti-social behaviour, drug-related problems or noise issues”.

Councillors Sue Armitage, Len Foster and Dan Hart sent a letter, which has been seen by the BBC, to some residents on Asterby Road.

The letter states they have "requested that a call-in is placed on the application to ensure it is heard by North Lincolnshire's Planning Committee".

North Lincolnshire Council said it was "unable to comment on any live planning issue until a decision is made".

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