Plans for new 'guest house and hotel' in Hartlepool

Proposals have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department to convert a four-bedroom house at 95 Cornwall Street into a hotel, operating with six separate bedsits.

Submitted by Aderemilekun Agbonin, from Johnremms Property Services, plans state the site would open to the general public with individual short term lets of no more than 90 days.

However concerns have been raised by council officers the property could be used as a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

A planning statement from Dami Lapite, agent on behalf of the applicant, said the site will be a hotel and guest house for people to stay at.

It said: “The proposal is to operate as a hotel/guest bedsits where no significant element of care is provided.

“The intention is that the proposal will operate as a hotel/guest house, open to the general public with individual short term lets no more than 90 days.

“The intended number of occupants is a minimum of one person per bedsit up to a maximum of two persons per bedsit. We estimate 12 no persons at maximum capacity.”

As part of the plans each room would have an ensuite shower and toilet, with a shared kitchen/common area and toilet on the ground floor.

All furniture, carpet, and waste have been removed from the site, and remedial works have taken place, with further work now awaiting planning and building control approval.

However a response has been received from Hartlepool Borough Council’s environmental health manager for housing Joanne Burnley, raising concerns the property could be used as a HMO.

She said: “I would just like to place on record my concerns about the use of this property as a hotel.

“In my opinion, the likelihood is that this is more likely to be occupied as a House in Multiple Occupation due to its location and layout, which would require it to be licensed.”

However the applicant states in their proposals they received pre-application advice it ‘does not fall within HMO licensing criteria’.

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

A decision is expected to be made on the proposals by the council planning department in April.

To view and comment on the planning application visit the Hartlepool Borough Council planning portal online and search reference number H/2021/0043.

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on Pools and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.