'There is literally no parking already': Northampton neighbourhood pans 'foolish' plans for another HMO in street

Residents in Colwyn Road say their community cannot take another crowded household in their street after a plan to turn the failed Mu'Gbortima Care Services home into HMO.

They say they already have to take parking fines on the nose as they have no choice but to park on double yellow lines in their cramped neighbourhood, and have labelled the plans to bring more cars and people to the area "foolish".

But the proposals, set to go before the borough council on February 13, have already been recommended for the rubber stamp by planning officers.

One letter from a resident reads: "There is literally no parking on Colwyn Road each evening.

"A number of residents are consistently having to park on double yellow lines as the fine is the only option of parking within The Mounts at peak times.

"At busy periods there are many cars parked dangerously with double parking and even cars parking front facing the curb with the back end into the street."

The former Mu'Gbortima Care Services was shut down after inspectors said it posed a "serious risk" to its patients. Its manager, Florence Beatrice Smith, was struck off the nursing register after a misconduct hearing with over 50 charges for failures in care.

The empty care home, which was operated out of a terraced house, is now marked to become a set of five flats with room for six people.

But residents have written in to object to the plan, saying the street cannot handle the extra bin bags and cars. One wrote: "Introducing another 10 cars would be foolish.

"All of these factors are making the area less and less desirable for families. Colwyn Road and the surrounding area looks very obviously tired, dirty and overcrowded."

A consultation on the plans ended on February 2.