Neighbours fear studio used for refugees could become Airbnb in future

PLANS to change the use of a room in Henley to house a Ukrainian family have been criticised by neighbours.

Anthony Duckett, of Marlow Road, wants to temporarily change the use of his studio, a separate outbuilding at his property, to allow for a mother and daughter to continue living there under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

In an application to South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authority, Mr Duckett said the change of use would not include any building work or alteration.

The Homes for Ukraine scheme is sponsored by the government to support Ukrainians fleeing the war with Russia. It matches hosts with refugees and the host is subsidised for housing them.

However, neighbours have raised concerns about noise disturbance, loss of privacy and that the venue could be made into an Airbnb in the future.

Dianne Browne, of Northfield End, said: “I have no objection to the temporary letting of the studio to a Ukrainian lady and her daughter as part of the laudable Homes for Ukraine initiative, as long as it is just that — temporary — and the planning status returns to garage/studio when the couple leave.

“Any extended permission to rent the accommodation, possibly to Airbnb, would inevitably result in noise and disturbance from vehicles accessing the property at all hours at the rear of the garden.

“The Ukrainian family have no car and currently cause no disturbance.”

Another neighbour in Northfield End raised concerns about noise, loss of privacy and “light spill” in the evenings.

They said: “We bought [this property] as first-time buyers, intending it to be our long-term home.

“The way the building is currently used means there is a direct line of sight into our master bedroom and bathroom.

“In practice, we now keep blinds closed, avoid using these rooms at normal times and live in constant anxiety about basic privacy in our own home.

“Further checks carried out by our solicitor during the purchase flagged previous residential planning applications at the studio site which were refused, ratifying our decision to purchase the property as it was not overlooked.

“This planning seeks to undermine and materially change this.”

They added that the application gives “no time limit” as to when the period of use would end.

The resident said: “It describes the outbuilding as ‘part of existing dwelling’ despite it being occupied independently with separate access and activity centred entirely on the outbuilding.”

They said they had seen occupation of the property “with no functional link” to the main house.

“From our property, we have observed multiple unrelated occupants over successive weekends arriving with luggage and using the external staircase and balcony as their sole access.

“Domestic activity (such as laundry being dried on the balcony) and internal layouts visible through the windows that are consistent with a self-contained flat rather than a hobbies room.

“Taken together, this shows the outbuilding is being used as a separate
residential unit, not as an incidental room.”

In a meeting of the town’s planning committee on Tuesday last week, Councillor Michelle Thomas said she supported the application if it was to remain temporary.

She said: “I support this application for as long as the Homes for Ukraine scheme exists on a temporary basis.

“It’s a highly unusual situation but that country is still deemed an unacceptable place to go back to live when it’s still being bombed. But as soon as this scheme is over, it must be turned back into ancillary use as a studio.”

Henley Town Council recommended the plans were approved with a condition that the district council grant its use on a temporary basis to support the Homes for Ukraine scheme. This would mean the building must return to its original use once the scheme ends.

It also applied a condition that the windows facing neighbouring properties in Northfield End be obscured to improve privacy as overlooking of neighbours was deemed a concern.

The district council will make a final decision by Thursday, December 25.