CONTROVERSIAL plans to turn a former tool and machinery shop into a house in multiple occupation have gone to appeal six months after being refused by Swindon Borough Council.

The scheme for the former Stanwells shop in Eastcott Road drew fire from neighbours and local councillors who claimed it would have crammed tenants into a small space and added to parking problems.

In an appeal statement the developers said the first floor was already residential and planning permission had been granted to convert the building to five homes.

“Potentially this development could have up to four people per unit making a total of 20 individuals. This proposal is for 12 HMO rooms, therefore a total of 12 individuals.”

They added: The number of people on this proposed scheme are likely to be a lot less, also more likely that some of the rooms maybe empty for longer periods of time.”

An area of the courtyard at the front would be allocated as a possible bin and recycling area and a large cupboard and storage area inside the building had been introduced for cycles.

Back in July neighbours complained about the potential impact on the already difficult traffic and parking in the area.

“Parking is restricted and hard at the best of times, no room for more,” said James and Debra There were also concerns about the type of residents the property would attract.

Owen and Dianna Ball pointed to the conversion into an HMO of another property in the street. “We have been subjected to incidents involving refuse and littering, drunkenness, drug-taking and violent incidents by those occupants ever since.

“One person in particular openly takes and deals drugs from the front room window and can frequently be seen standing in the window during the day obviously under the influence of drugs as he is wearing nothing and is swaying and making funny noises and arm movements, all in full view of the children who make their way to and from the local school.”

They said: “Our experience of this type of resident leaves us dreading another 12 plus such persons moving in across the road.”

Central Swindon South Parish Council also objected to the plans on several grounds, including the parking issue. It also said the area already had a high number of HMOs and the conversion would lead to an unacceptably high concentration of them.

A planning inspector will decide and the deadline for comments is January 17. The plans can be seen at Swindon.gov.uk