🏡Community Concerns in Swansea Over New Housing Plans🏡
Residents in Swansea are on edge as new housing plans shake up local communities. 📢 Two Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) got the green light from council, prompting an uproar among locals worried about the impact on their neighbourhoods.
In Port Tennant, councillors Joe Hale and Hayley Gwilliam debated a proposal to transform the ground floor of an empty takeaway on Danygraig Road into a six-bedroom HMO. Despite opposition, the application was approved amid fears it could exacerbate noise, traffic, and transient living issues.
St Thomas and Port Tennant areas have witnessed a surge in HMOs following the development of nearby university campuses. While this is good news for developers, it spells uncertainty for residents who fear their tight-knit community is becoming temporary and transient.
Local councillors voiced strong concerns. Cllr Gwilliam remarked about the shifting community dynamics, saying, “Homes are becoming less about people and more about profit.” Faced with increasing houses designed for short-term tenants, she warned about the loss of housing for locals and escalating rent prices.
Meanwhile, over in Clydach, a separate five-bedroom HMO plan also faced fierce resistance. Despite a community petition with 139 signatures and vocal objections about potential parking chaos and compromised living standards, the council gave it a thumbs up.
Residents are rallying, claiming these developments could set undesirable precedents and alter the character of their beloved neighbourhoods. With around 2,000 HMOs already in Swansea, the debate rages on how to strike a balance between housing needs and community integrity. 🏠
What do you think? Are HMOs the way forward or a step too far? Share your thoughts below! 👇