Concerns continue to be raised about a growing trend of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) being expanded and intensified across two neighbourhoods in Northampton.

Residents have contacted the Chronicle & Echo regarding 102 Ashburnham Road in Abington, where a planning application has been submitted to increase the number of tenants from six to seven. The plans also seek retrospective permission for a rear roof dormer and a new side window.

The property was previously approved as a six-person shared house in 2024, despite 32 objections from local residents. The current application has received 10 objections.

One resident previously said: “There are already a significant number of HMOs on Ashburnham Road, the addition of another will considerably exacerbate the significant issue that there already is with car parking and in particular on this part of the road. Residents already have to contend with on-street parking being used by those visiting the cricket ground and the church and therefore not being able to park.

“We need fewer cars not more and this is not just about parking but in regard to the environment and clean air, we already have pollution issues from the vehicles using Abington Avenue. I am further concerned about the breaking up of family homes into HMOs, we need to encourage families to move here in order to build a sustainable community and to support local trade and businesses.”

Labour councillor Zoe Smith, who represents Abington and Phippsville ward, said she had called for the application to be looked at by councillors due to concerns about over-development and its impact on neighbours.

On the wider issue of HMOs in Abington, she said: “We are also worried by the increasing trend shown here and with other houses in multiple occupancy in Abington & Phippsville of applicants initially acquiring permission for smaller HMOs, then going on to extend and over-develop the properties, following up with applications for increased occupancy, as this intensifies the impact and effect of HMOs in our area.

"We have recently seen through the council’s draft Local Plan document on HMOs that 25% of all HMOs in West Northants are located in Castle ward and 21% of all West Northants HMOs are located in Abington & Phippsville ward.

"We are therefore arguing that robust, planning policy needs to be included in the Local Plan to specifically address the impact of this unbalanced and unfair concentration of HMOs across these two wards.”

The applicant said the dormer at 102 Ashburnham Road was built during roof repair works and that the need for retrospective permission was due to a misunderstanding.

In a statement, the applicant said: “The non-compliance therefore arises from a misunderstanding of a technical detail, rather than any intention to circumvent planning control. Following confirmation from the planning officer that planning permission was required for the dormer ‘as built’, the relevant drawings and documents were promptly prepared and submitted. Given the realistic fallback and absence of material harm, refusal would not result in any meaningful planning benefit.”

West Northamptonshire Council said the application will be considered through the usual process.

A spokesperson said: “We are aware of the public interest in this application. As with all planning matters, the proposal at 102 Ashburnham Road will be considered through the proper democratic process. It is scheduled to be reported to the Non-Strategic Planning Committee, where an officer report and recommendation will be presented to members. The committee may also hear representations from both the applicants and those who have raised concerns. We cannot comment on the merits of the application ahead of committee determination.”