Developers launch appeal after plans rejected for work on HMO in Hartlepool street

Proposals were refused by Hartlepool Borough Council Planning Committee in 2019 to change 68 Grange Road in the town into a HMO, due to issues with the roof, which had been changed without permission.

The plans, from Forso LTD, included the installation of replacement windows and retrospective permission for replacement roof work.

HMOs refer to properties such as a house split into separate bedsits, a shared house/flat or a hostel.

An appeal has now been lodged to the national Planning Inspectorate by the applicant over the decision to refuse the development planning permission in a bid to get the ruling overturned.

The original plans were refused due to the replacement composite roof, which had already been installed, and the proposed uPVC replacement windows.

Councillors had been told the site would hope to house ‘students or young professionals’ and would benefit the area.

It was ruled by council officers, and backed by councillors, the move would not be in keeping with the Grange Conservation Area, where it is located, due to the ‘design, detailing and use of materials’.

Councillors therefore authorised enforcement action to secure the removal of the composite roof tiles and the restoration of the roof to its condition before the breach took place.

The applicant therefore has submitted two appeals, over both the refusal of the plans, and over the three-month time period to carry out the restoration work, claiming it is not long enough.

A planning report from Joe Harrison, council graduate planning assistant, said: “The submitted enforcement appeal is on the grounds that the Appellant considers that planning permission ought to be granted for the replacement roof.

“Also the grounds that the appellant considers that the time period specified in the enforcement notice (three months) falls short of what should reasonably be allowed to remedy the breach.”

Despite the issues over the roofing, new plans to convert the Grange Road site into a HMO have since been approved, which removed the desire to install uPVC windows.

However the issue over the roof and subsequent enforcement action remains and now has to wait for the outcome of the appeal to the national Planning Inspectorate.

The Planning Inspectorate is a Government agency which deals with planning appeals after a decision has been made by local authorities.

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