Greenwich councillors have approved a controversial plan to convert a property on Eltham Hill into an eight-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), despite concerns raised by some members about its size and potential impact on the local area.

The Local Planning Committee met on Tuesday, 24 March 2026, to discuss the application for 31 Eltham Hill. The decision to approve the HMO followed a previous deferral for an application at the same address for a six-bedroom HMO. The previous application for a six-bedroom HMO at 6 Mellin Street was deferred to allow for comments from the Council's HMO licensing team and for members to undertake a site visit. 1

A map showing the location of 31 Eltham Hill, London, SE9 5SY
Map showing the location of 31 Eltham Hill

During the debate, Councillor Patricia Greenwell voted against the Eltham Hill proposal, stating her concern about the sheer size of the HMO and the number of occupants. Residents also raised concerns about the impact on residential amenity due to noise and disturbance, a sense of overdevelopment, the safety, hygiene, and navigability of the proposed route to cycle storage, and the cumulative effect of multiple HMOs on the street. 2

However, Councillors Jo van den Broek and Ann-Marie Cousins spoke in favour, with Councillor van den Broek describing it as one of the better ones I've seen and noting the good room sizes and large communal kitchen. 3 For the eight-bedroom HMO at 31 Eltham Hill, a cycle shed for eight cycles is proposed in the rear garden, and four bins are proposed in the front forecourt area. The parking stress survey indicated a 59% availability for on-street car parking within 200 meters of the site, and the council's transport officer raised no concerns. Additionally, a detailed noise impact assessment was submitted, and the shared wall between number 33 and number 31 would be provided with additional insulation as a noise mitigation strategy.

The meeting information states that HMO applications are acceptable in principle and there are no policies relating to over-concentration of HMOs in a specific area. 4

  1. The application for 6 Mellin Street was deferred at a previous meeting to allow for comments from the Council's HMO licensing team and for members to undertake a site visit. See Main report - 6 Melling Street Plumstead Ref- 25-2354-F.pdf. ↩

  2. Residents raised concerns about the impact on residential amenity due to noise and disturbance, a sense of overdevelopment, the safety, hygiene, and navigability of the proposed route to cycle storage, and the cumulative effect of multiple HMOs on the street. For the property at 82 Bramblebury Road, concerns were also raised about the impact on the Plumstead Common conservation area and potential for overbearing extensions. For 112 Camdale Road, concerns were raised about the potential impact on a neighbouring childminding business and the vulnerability of the children in its care. See Appendices to 31 Eltham Hill SE9 - Ref. 25-3183-F.pdf. ↩

  3. Councillor Jo van den Broek described the eight-bedroom HMO at 31 Eltham Hill as one of the better ones I've seen and noted the good room sizes and large communal kitchen. See 31 Eltham Hill SE9 5SY Ref 25-3183-F.pdf. ↩

  4. The meeting information states that HMO applications are acceptable in principle and there are no policies relating to over-concentration of HMOs in a specific area. See Agenda frontsheet 24th-Mar-2026 18.30 Local Planning Committee.pdf. ↩