Despite strong concerns raised by Dyfed-Powys Police against plans for a controversial house of multiple occupation (HMO) in Ystradgynlais, Powys planners will recommend that councillors approve the scheme.

In April, fresh plans for the former St John Ambulance office on Derwen Road in Ystradgynlais were lodged with county planners by Mr J Black of Liphook in Hampshire.

He wants to turn the building into a six-bed HMO, and this application will be decided by councillors at a meeting of Powys County Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday, September 3.

The application has been called before the Planning Committee by Cllr Huw Williams (Labour – Abercraf and Ystradgynlais) due to the “deep dissatisfaction and anger” expressed locally against the proposal.

As part of the consultation on the application, Dyfed-Powys Police provided a detailed response.

Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We recognise that HMOs provide an important source of housing and form part of a balanced housing provision mix.

“However, we would argue that the characteristics of an HMO and its more transient population mean that they are at significantly higher risk of crime and disorder than a single-family occupied dwelling.

“It is also recognised that there are concerns in some areas that HMOs can have an impact on crime, disorder, parking, nuisance, and general neighbourhood cohesion.

“Research carried out by the Police Foundation (2015) says that HMOs had higher burglary, violent incidents, and fire risks.

“Dyfed-Powys Police do not object to this application, however, we have concerns about the location and effect on what is already an anti-social behaviour hotspot.”

If the committee approves the application, the police ask that conditions are placed on the permission that require safety measures to be implemented.

Planning officer Elinor Price said: “Dyfed-Powys Police were consulted on the proposal and have confirmed that they raise no objection to the proposed change of use.”

She explained that some of the conditions suggested by the police cannot be “lawfully imposed”.

Ms Price continued: “Whilst concerns have been raised regarding the transient nature of HMO occupation and the potential turnover of residents.

“The assessment of the application is based on the land use proposed rather than the identity of future occupants, which is not a material planning consideration.

“Nevertheless, the potential effects arising from the occupation of the property as an HMO have been assessed, including activity levels, noise and disturbance, parking demand, refuse storage, residential amenity and the character of the area.

“Having regard to the scale of the proposal, the site’s context and the evidence available, it is not considered that the development would result in unacceptable harm in these respects.”

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In September last year, the Planning Committee approved a previous plan by Dee Muchenje to turn the building into three flats.