A plan to convert an Aberystwyth guest house into a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) is the latest to have been refused by Ceredigion County Council planners because there are already too many in the town.

A scheme to turn the Sunnymead guest house on Bridge Street into a HMO providing eight bedrooms was lodged in June.

An application to change the use of the property from a guest house to a HMO was refused planning permission in December 2020.

Planning documents for the proposal said the guest house is “currently operating at a loss or a marginal profit”, and says “there is alternative and sufficient provision of tourist accommodation available in Aberystwyth itself” to justify the change.

But council planning officers said the plans could not be approved due to the proliferation of HMOs in Aberystwyth.

A council planning report said: “The Welsh Government Houses in Multiple Occupation Practice Guidance states that the review found that areas with a high concentration of Houses in Multiple Occupation can experience a range of social, environmental and community impacts.

“These include a weakening of community cohesion due to a more transient population and fewer long-term family households, which can affect the sustainability and balance of local communities.

“Increased demand from landlords may also make it harder for owner-occupiers and first-time buyers to access housing, reducing the stock of family homes.

“The review also identified links between high HMO concentrations and increased anti-social behaviour, noise complaints, burglary and other crime.

“Environmental quality can decline through higher levels of litter, refuse, fly-tipping, property disrepair and the proliferation of letting advertisements. In addition, local character may change as more takeaways, discount stores and letting agencies become established.

“Further pressures can arise from increased parking demand and a reduction in community facilities for families and children, including declining school enrolments that place pressure on local schools.”

Aberystwyth Town Council objected to the plans due to high number of HMO's in Aberystwyth, while Ceredigion County Council planning officers said that “records indicate that in the immediate area of the application site four out of eight residences in the street block are HMOs.”

“Bridge Street itself has a total of 15 licenced HMO premises,” council planning officers said.

“It is the opinion that the proposed change of use of the property would result in an excessive concentration of HMOs within Bridge Street and also in Aberystwyth itself, leading to an imbalance in the composition of the community and the loss of a permanent family dwelling.”

A number of HMOs have already been rejected in Aberystwyth this year, with Ceredigion County Council reiterating that any “conversion of residential units to HMOs, that require planning permission, will not be permitted.”

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Rejecting the plans under delegated powers, council planning officers concluded that “the proposal would result in the over-concentration of Houses in Multiple Occupation within Aberystwyth leading to potential harm to the character of the area and the residential amenities of neighbouring occupiers through increased noise, disturbance, and activity.”