Residents Fear Transformation of Applegarth Avenue into HMO Hotspot Will Diminish Community Spirit

Concerns Raised Over New HMOs in Guildford: Impact on Community Character

In Guildford, people on Applegarth Avenue worry about more HMOs. Residents link the growing share houses with a change in their street’s calm feel. The Guildford Borough Council approved four new HMOs. Long-term locals see this as a shift in how they live together.

Changes to Applegarth Avenue

Applegarth Avenue sits close to the Royal Surrey County Hospital. Today, the street holds 25 registered HMOs. Two extra applications wait. Neighbors, some living there for decades, see a move from family homes to shared houses. They feel the street now holds strangers instead of families.

One neighbor, who has lived there for 20 years with his four children, speaks of a lost bond. He said, “It has lost the heart of the street.” He pointed out that the busy life of families is now replaced by renters who come and go for work. He noted, “Only one person says ‘hi’” to show the fading spirit among neighbors.

Local Government Response

At a recent council meeting, ward councillor Howard Smith shared what locals feel. He said that seeing family homes turn into HMOs is the “number one issue” he hears. He added, “People are getting really tired of three-bedroom family homes being put up for sale and turned into HMOs.” His words show that many feel hurt by these changes.

Smith is worried that more HMOs may shift the true nature of Applegarth Avenue. He sees the street changing as houses fill with short-term renters instead of long-term families.

Council leader Julia McShane noted problems like parking trouble and rough behavior. She asked locals to tell the council about their worries through proper channels so that staff can fix these issues.

Understanding HMOs

Houses in Multiple Occupation, or HMOs, are homes where different people rent separate rooms while sharing kitchens and bathrooms. These homes are seen as a way to solve housing gaps, especially for students and young workers who need affordable places.

Still, more HMOs in neighborhoods spark questions about their effects. Many ask how these changes may touch house prices, the way neighbors connect, and life quality for those who have long called the area home.

Conclusion

The new HMOs on Applegarth Avenue bring up questions about meeting housing needs while keeping the street’s warm feel. Locals worry that a mix of short-term renters will replace the strong community bonds of families. This situation shows a challenge faced in many towns as housing needs rise and cities change.

As Guildford handles these shifts, it is important for council members, residents, and investors to meet and plan fair solutions. A careful talk among those involved will shape the future of housing on Applegarth Avenue and similar streets across the UK.