PLANS to expand a student let in a York cul-de-sac look set to win the go-ahead, despite strong objections from local residents.

City of York Council turned down an earlier planning application to extend the HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) in Heathfield Road, off Millfield Lane, on the grounds it would be an over-development of the site and harm neighbours’ amenities.

Officers say in a report to an area planning meeting on Thursday that this fresh application by D Rose differs partly in that the two storey rear/side extension has been reduced to a single storey on the side and it should be approved.

But 13 local residents have objected, with one claiming HMOs were ‘destroying’ what used to be a family occupied cul-de-sac, with problems of ‘noise, parties, confrontation and mess.’

Ward councillor Neil Barnes also objected, citing fears over greater noise, litter and traffic issues.