Plans approved for new Hartlepool HMO after previous application rejected

Proposals were resubmitted to Hartlepool Borough Council to convert the property at 68 Grange Road from into a seven-bed HMO.

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

Forso Ltd previously had their plans for a seven-bed HMO for ‘students and young professionals’ at the same site in the Grange Road Conservation Area refused in September.

However council planning officers have now given the plans the green light, despite two objections from residents living nearby.

A report from council planning officer Stephanie Bell said: “It is considered that the principle of the proposed change of use to a large HMO is acceptable.

“It is considered that the proposal would not give rise to adverse impacts upon the visual amenity (including impacting upon the Conservation Area), neighbour amenity, highway safety, community safety or any other planning matter.”

The application differs from the previous submission as following conservation officer advice the applicant no longer wishes to install uPVC windows.”

A retrospective application to regularise roof alteration is subject to a separate application.

A planning statement on behalf of the applicant stated they believed the plans would benefit the area.

It said: “It is not considered the proposed change of use for the building would result in a detrimental impact upon the character of the conservation area.

“By approving the application it would bring back into use an existing building optimising the use of the existing building to preserve it for the future.”

The property has been empty for over 18 months.

Two objections from nearby residents raised concerns primarily linked to parking problems in the area.

One Grange Road resident said: “There is a massive shortage of parking within Grange Rd and making a HMO is just going to add to a problem that is already an issue.”

Council planning officers had no objections due to the location of the property and lack of off-street parking, along with the fact residents would have to apply for permits.