A FAMILY home which was carved up in to a HMO without permission in a bizarre twist could still be granted a licence by the council.

The council’s planning department refused permission for the 10-bed HMO at 97 Melfort Road but it could still get a licence while facing enforcement action for breaching planning.

The anomaly has outraged residents who have seen total of 14 Houses of Multiple Occupancy created on Melfort Road over a distance of 800 yards, housing a total of 92 tenants.

The council introduced legislation in Thornton Heath last year to stop family homes being turned in to HMOs with the Article 4 direction now requiring planning consent for change of use.

The Melfort Road family home was brought in 2019 for £415,000 by Mussarat Khan who appealed to the Secretary of State against Croydon’s decision but it was upheld.

Meanwhile 12 intercoms have been fitted to the front of the property and at the rear a detached outbuilding been constructed without the necessary planning permission.

An application has now been submitted for change of use from  residential to a children’s home.

In another Thornton Heath street an occupant living in a HMO in St Paul’s Road was removed after months of anti social behaviour. A closure order was granted at Croydon magistrates court. “

This will close the venue for three months and “hopefully provide some well deserved respite for the local residents,”  police Tweeted.

Berwick Lodge, is owned by a South Croydon businessman who recently applied to build more houses in the back garden of the historic house but it was refused by the council.

Our picture shows  the closure notice at the property.

A mountain of rotting rubbish in what is meant to be the bin area has also been ignored for months despite repeated complaints to councillors.