Post 25 – 22/04/23 – HMO Bingo In Egham & Englefield Green | Election Special
I thought I would comment on one set of figures presented in the recent Planning Officers’ report at Runnymede Borough Council, ‘Small Houses in Multiple Occupation: is there enough evidence to introduce an Article 4 Direction in Runnymede?’
Please see image below: The distribution of HMOs by ward.
That is a staggering amount of HMOs in our community compared to the surrounding wards.
I took a walk around Englefield West a couple of weeks ago and the amount of ‘To Let’ signs was eye watering.
On that note, it was interesting to see in the report this list of potential impacts that student HMOs can have on an area.
A quick game of HMO bingo anyone?
• Increase in population densities resulting in increases in domestic refuse, litter (e.g. fast food and pizza boxes) and fly-tipping of unwanted household items (e.g. discarded beds/mattresses, sofas and fridges)
• The removal of hedges, fences, gates, and gardens for driveways
• The proliferation of ‘to-let’ boards, unkempt gardens and yards
• Dilapidated external residential facades and the disrepair of housing (depending on the landlord)
• The exclusion of local families and low-income individuals and households from the local housing market
• The replacement / displacement of local families by transient student populations
• The marginalisation and polarisation of local families
• The gradual closure of local crèches, nurseries and schools, and other community facilities
• The loss of family-oriented public and private services
• Higher levels of burglary and crime
• The formation of a new sense of place, and a different type of ambience in the neighbourhood
• Room arrangements and a lifestyle which can exacerbate noise nuisance (e.g. parties, higher occupancy levels in HMO);
• The conflicts between the everyday living routines (e.g. timing of work, play and sleep) of established residents and many students
• Increased car parking and congestion
Recognise any of the above? I recognise 12: not quite a full house.
I have to ask myself, how have our current council leaders allowed this proliferation of HMOs in our community over the last few years?
Disappointingly, the Council’s Local Plan (and this is where it gets even more depressing) the one signed off by the then leader of the Conservatives, Englefield Green’s very own Cllr. Nick Prescott, there’s not even a whisper of HMOs.
Why is the topic of HMOs absent? This is either a pretty poorly prepared plan or a wilful blind eye to a significant and growing problem for residents.
I think it is time to get some new leadership in Englefield Green and thankfully we have some local elections coming up.
Over the coming weeks we will be backing Trevor Gates (Independent), for Englefield Green East. For Englefield Green West, we are supporting Eliza Kettle (Labour).
For Egham residents, we are proposing that you re-elect Isabel Mullins (Independent).
If you would like to know the reasons why and to find out more about their pledges please visit:
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Best wishes,
We Need To Talk About Royal Holloway