Decision Looms on Converting Former Funeral Director’s Building to Bedsits

Caldicot: So, there’s this old funeral director’s building that might get a new life as bedsits. If the council gives the thumbs up, it’ll be turned into a house of multiple occupation, or HMO for short.

The plan is to have six bedrooms, with two on the ground floor and four ensuite rooms upstairs. Plus, there’ll be a communal kitchen and dining area. Sounds cozy, right?

But not everyone is on board. Some neighbors are worried about parking and losing a commercial space. One even said HMOs can bring trouble.

However, the council’s planning officer, Kate Young, says there are no issues from the highways department. Since the building isn’t in the main shopping area, it doesn’t need to stay commercial.

There are two parking spots in front and two more in the back, which are accessible from a lane. The council thinks that’s enough, especially since HMOs usually have low car ownership.

Some objectors argue that the front spaces are needed for local businesses and that the back spots are tricky to get to. But Young’s report mentions no changes to parking are planned.

There are double yellow lines on Newport Road, and a public car park nearby, so parking shouldn’t be a huge issue.

One neighbor really doesn’t like the idea, citing problems with other HMOs in the area. But Young points out that new Welsh laws require a change of use application for HMOs, and Monmouthshire doesn’t have a strict policy against it.

The council will discuss this at their meeting on January 14, thanks to a request from local councillor Tony Eason.