Key Points
- More than 100 people in Trowbridge, Cardiff, have signed a petition against the idea of having a five-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) at 50 Hendre Road.
- Byba Properties Ltd has requested to convert a residential property into a five-bedroom HMO from the Cardiff Council.
- The petition contained 114 signatures.
- Among the reasons mentioned in objections are parking problems, traffic congestion, noise, disturbances, rubbish collection, character, stability, and safety of the area.
- The petitioners state that Hendre Road is “predominantly a residential road” where families cherish a “peaceful and supportive environment”.
- According to the planning documents provided with the application, lighting will be low level, there will be a management plan which will include waste, maintenance, tenant information, repairs and noise management, as well as fire precautions.
- According to the application, none of the 29 houses located within 50 meters from the subject property are HMOs, and the approval would make 50 Hendre Road the only HMO in the area.
- The plans provide for one cycle space per bedroom, pointing out the location of the site in the built-up area of Cardiff with good access to public transport.
Trowbridge (Wales Times) October 13, 2026 – More than 100 residents of a uk/local/cardiff/">Cardiff community have signed a petition against proposals to convert a house on Hendre Road into a five-bedroom house in multiple occupation, arguing that the development could place further pressure on parking, waste services and the character of their neighbourhood.
The campaign concerns land at 50 Hendre Road in Trowbridge, where Byba Properties Ltd has submitted plans to Cardiff Council for a change of use from a residential home to a five-bedroom HMO. As reported by WalesOnline, a petition against the proposal had attracted 114 signatures at the time of writing.
The application is recorded by planning-data service Planning Signal as application 26/02044/FUL, described as a “Change of use to House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)” at 50 Hendre Road, Trowbridge, Cardiff, CF3 1QW. It was received on 1 October 2026 and is listed as pending.
Why Are Residents Objecting?
The petition says the proposed HMO “strikes at the very heart of our community’s safety, wellbeing and cohesion”. It argues that Hendre Road is largely residential and that many families there value a peaceful and supportive setting.
As reported by WalesOnline, the petition states:
“The change into an HMO could disrupt our way of life, exacerbating existing problems and creating new challenges.”
Parking is among the central objections. The petition says the street already has limited parking space and claims that additional residents would intensify the problem, potentially increasing congestion and making it harder for existing residents to park or move around the area.
Campaigners also cite wider concerns for the “wellbeing and peace of mind” of people living nearby. These include higher noise levels, more frequent disturbances and additional pressure on bin collections.
What Does the Petition Say About Community Character?
The petition argues that the proposal could affect the identity and stability of the neighbourhood. It says: “The character of our neighbourhood is at stake.”
It further claims that HMOs can lead to “transient populations”, which it says may weaken the sense of community and stability that residents say they have built. The petition adds that residents value “strong community bonds” and the safety and familiarity of knowing their neighbours.
The concerns reflect the petition organisers’ view that a five-bedroom shared house could alter the balance of a street they describe as predominantly residential.
What Do the Planning Documents Say?
The planning documents set out measures intended to manage the proposed HMO. They state: “Lighting will be low level and directed within the curtilage to avoid nuisance.”
They also say a management plan will confirm responsibility for waste presentation, maintenance of external areas, tenant information, reporting of repairs and control of noise. According to the documents, these measures, alongside compliant fire precautions and durable internal finishes, are intended to support “a safe and well-managed home”.
The application also addresses the concentration of HMOs nearby. It states that, of 29 other properties within 50 metres of the site, none is an HMO. If approved, 50 Hendre Road would be the only HMO in that area, according to the documents.
The application says: “The proposal would not create an excessive concentration or materially alter the balance of the local community.”
How Does the Application Address Transport?
The planning submission says the site lies within “Cardiff’s built-up area” and has nearby public transport options. It argues that this established connection, together with the proposed provision of one cycle space per bedroom, supports travel choices other than the private car.
That position contrasts with residents’ concerns that extra occupants would worsen parking shortages. The application does not, in the material reported, resolve that dispute; it remains a matter for Cardiff Council’s planning assessment and public consultation.
What Happens Next?
The plans are currently in the consultation stage. WalesOnline reports that no date has been given for a final decision.
Cardiff Council has not been reported as having made a determination on the application. Residents who wish to comment on or object to planning applications in the Trowbridge area can do so through the local authority’s planning portal, according to Planning Signal.
Background of the Development
A house in multiple occupation is generally a property where at least three tenants live, forming more than one household, and share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities. Under UK government guidance, large HMOs require a licence from the local council.
The Trowbridge proposal comes amid wider local debate over HMOs in Cardiff. Cardiff Council’s supplementary planning guidance refers to a two-tier threshold for deciding when an area has reached the point at which further HMOs would cause harm.
Separately, Nation.Cymru reported on 11 October 2026 that a controversial plan to convert a vacant nursery into a nine-bedroom HMO had been approved despite local opposition. That case is distinct from the Hendre Road application but illustrates continuing tension between HMO proposals and some community objections in Wales.
Prediction: How Could This Affect Trowbridge Residents?
If Cardiff Council approves the HMO, Trowbridge residents may see five additional occupants at 50 Hendre Road, with potential effects on on-street parking demand, waste presentation and day-to-day activity around the property. The extent of any impact would depend on occupancy, tenant behaviour, management arrangements and enforcement by the landlord and council.
If the council refuses the application, the applicant could revise and resubmit the scheme or appeal the decision, meaning residents may face a further planning process. If it approves the scheme with conditions, those conditions could cover matters raised in the planning documents, including waste management, external maintenance, repairs, noise control and fire safety.
For local residents, the decision will also test how Cardiff Council weighs neighbourhood concerns about parking and community character against the applicant’s argument that the proposal would not create an excessive HMO concentration. The outcome may influence how similarly sized HMO applications are received in other residential parts of Trowbridge.
