PARKING trouble and noise could result from a house being converted into a share home, neighbours have said.

The house at 18 Addison Crescent, near Donnington Bridge, could be transformed into a house of multiple occupation, known as an HMO, with room for four residents.

The plan is due to be discussed by Oxford City Council’s west area planning committee tonight at 6pm.

It has been brought to the committee because of concerns from local councillors and residents.

ALSO READ: Tourist spending up in Oxfordshire as county gets £2bn boost

A total of 25 residents have written to the council to say they do not want the plan to go ahead.

Paul Taylor, a resident of Addison Crescent said: “I have been disturbed at the substantial number of the houses in Addison Crescent which have been turned into houses of multiple occupancy: it does change the character of the community.

He added: “There are already seven houses in the street that are HMOs.”

Nearby neighbour Michael Harvey at said the street already had ‘at least seven houses which are of multiple occupancy, and this at times leads to some late night noise.’

He added: “It would tend to increase the nature of the street to a business area rather than a family residential area.

“We are also concerned about the amount of vehicles parked on both sides of the street most days, and at times worry what would happen if there was a need for emergency vehicles.”

Heather Smith, who also lives on the road added: “As residents of 10 yeas, my husband and I strongly disagree with this proposal and urge the council to reject this proposal in view of absolute overcrowding and commercialisation of the community.”

Eighteen Addison Crescent is currently a four bedroom house.

Because of this, very little construction work would need to take place if the building were to become an HMO.

But, two new car parking spaces would be created on the front yard of the house, and new bin and cycle storage would be built next to it.

Oxford Mail:

An overhead plan of the house, with the new car parking shown at the top. Picture: Oxford City Council.

If each resident of the HMO had a car, only two would be able to park on the driveway.

The other two would have to park on the side of the street.

There is no controlled parking zone at Addison Crescent, meaning they would not have to pay for a permit to park there.

ALSO READ: The pop up Christmas donation centre in Templars Square

Oxford has the 14th highest number of HMOs in England and Wales and 20 per cent of the city’s population is estimated to live in such accommodation.

The city council has previously been praised for its tough stance on HMOs, as landlords at these properties not only need to register, but must seek planning permission.

Since October 2018,Oxford City Council has required all homes with three or more unrelated residents to be registered as an HMO.

See planning reference 19/02547/FUL at the Oxford City Council website for more information.