Plans for new HMO in Hartlepool's Grange Road

Proposals have been lodged to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department to convert the property at 50 Grange Road from a six bed HMO to a larger eight bed HMO.

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

A Design and Access Statement from Planning House, on behalf of applicant Code Property Developments, based in Darlington, states the plans will benefit the area.

It said: “The proposed development maintains the residential use of the property and is complementary to the character of the surrounding residential area.

“The site is a sustainable location in terms of access to local services and facilities and public transport.

“The proposed change of use would also not result in a detrimental impact upon the visual or residential amenity of the local area, highways safety or flood risk.”

It also added the development would not have a detrimental impact on the Grange Road Conservation Area where it is located.

Plans state although there is no off-street parking proposed for the site, it is expected new residents will be unlikely to own cars, which is ‘typical of those residing in HMOs in the area’.

The proposed layout for the site is for the ground floor to feature communal facilities, including a kitchen, living room and bathroom, along with two double bedrooms, one which would feature an en-suite.

The first floor would include two double bedrooms, one with en-suite, one single bedroom and bathroom facilities, while the second floor would also have two double rooms and a single bedroom.

The only external alterations to the property would be to the back of the ground floor to allow for increased communal living and dining space.

The plans come after earlier this year proposals were approved for another HMO on the street, this time a seven bed site at 68 Grange Road.

However this was only after an initial application for a seven bed HMO at the site for ‘students and young professionals’ was refused in September.

A decision is due to be made on the latest proposals by the council planning department next month.

To comment on the application visit the Hartlepool Borough Council planning portal online and search reference number H/2020/0119.

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