A large HMO for up to ten people has had its retrospective plans refused after neighbours expressed fears of an "increase in crime".

A two-storey home in Nelmes Road, Emerson Park, is already being used as a HMO - housing eight separate households - but applied to keep this status in September 2023.

Havering Council has now refused the retrospective plans on several grounds, including worries that it would have a "detrimental impact" on neighbours in the surrounding area.

Collins & Coward submitted the application on behalf of Mr H Gohil to retain the current layout of the house: two bedrooms on the ground floor, four bedrooms on the first floor and two bedrooms on the second floor.

Planning documents reveal that there are currently ten people living across the eight rooms, which each measure between 9.5 metres and 25 metres.

Due to the room sizes and layout the maximum occupancy achievable would be 14 people, according to the planning officers.

A total of 80 neighbours sent representations in about the plans, outlining concerns that the HMO will harm the "character" of the area, spark "increased competition for parking", and lead to "criminality" or antisocial behaviour.

The planning officer concluded that if the application was approved it would "erode the qualities" of the Emerson Park area.

The officer's report said: "The scale of the proposals as sought and as might be achieved through room sizes and layout would translate to significantly higher levels of comings / goings and intensive activity over and above that of a single dwelling house resulting in a detrimental impact to the amenity of adjoining residents from noise and disturbance associated."

READ MORE: Plans for 9-bed HMO next to Newtons Primary School, Rainham

Also mentioned as a reason for refusal were concerns that the property was not "suitably high quality", meaning that - especially the occupants in the roof - would have "poor outlook/aspect and light".

As the planning consent has been refused, the property is still under the planning class used for a single-household residential property - meaning it is now being used as a HMO unlawfully. 

Notification of refusal was given to the agent on November 14, but it is not clear whether further action the council will take.

The Recorder has contacted Havering Council for comment.