10/09/2025
We, the residents formally write to object to future planning applications for the redevelopment of Terminal house and the potential redevelopment to a 76-room HMO property within the Shepperton Town ward.
This objection is submitted based on the following planning considerations:
1. Overdevelopment and Incompatibility with Local Character
The scale and intensity of the proposed HMO is wholly disproportionate to the surrounding residential area. A 76-room facility represents significant overdevelopment and is incompatible with the established character of Shepperton, which is defined by low-density, family-oriented housing. The proposal risks undermining the spatial integrity and visual coherence of the neighbourhood.
2. Amenity Impact on Existing Residents
The introduction of such a high-density residential use will inevitably result in increased noise, disturbance, and loss of privacy for neighbouring properties. The transient nature of HMO occupancy may also lead to reduced community cohesion and heightened concerns around anti-social behaviour.
3. Insufficient Infrastructure and Service Capacity
Local infrastructure—including waste collection, healthcare services, and public transport—is not equipped to accommodate the additional demand generated by 76 residents. The proposal fails to demonstrate how these pressures will be mitigated or supported through investment.
4. Parking and Highway Safety
The application does not adequately address the impact on local parking provision. Even with assumptions of low car ownership, the cumulative effect of residents, visitors, and service vehicles will exacerbate existing congestion and pose risks to highway safety, particularly in proximity to schools and pedestrian routes.
5. Policy Non-Compliance
The proposal appears to conflict with several policies within the Spelthorne Local Plan, including those relating to housing mix, density, and sustainable development. It may also contravene national guidance under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which emphasises the importance of developments that reflect local needs and character.
6. Safeguarding and Community Safety Concerns
The proposed development is near several sensitive community assets, including local schools and youth facilities. Introducing a high-density HMO of this scale raises legitimate safeguarding concerns, particularly around:
• Increased footfall and transient occupancy, which may heighten risks of anti-social behaviour and opportunistic crime.
• Unwanted attention or inappropriate interactions near school routes and playgrounds, especially given the lack of managed oversight typical of large HMOs.
• The absence of robust, enforceable management plans to mitigate these risks or ensure resident accountability.
These concerns are especially acute in areas with high pedestrian activity by children and young people. The proposal fails to demonstrate how such safeguarding risks will be addressed, monitored, or prevented.
