Plans for Hartlepool HMO resubmitted after being refused over harm to conservation area

Proposals have been lodged to convert the property at 68 Grange Road from a residential house to a seven bed HMO.

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

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

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

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

Council planning officers had recommended the original plans for refusal after identifying them as harmful to the conservation area due to the work on the windows and roof, despite stating a HMO was an acceptable use for the site in principle.

Therefore a planning statement on behalf of the applicant states they are hopeful of gaining approval this time.

It said: “Whilst the previous application was refused due to the impact upon the heritage asset, the current change of use application does not propose any external alterations.

“Furthermore in terms of character a HMO would still ultimately be a residential use which is noted in the Grange Conservation Area Appraisal as the predominant use of the conservation area.

“As such 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 plans state the house would feature two double bedrooms with en-suites on the ground floor along with communal rooms such as a kitchen.

The first floor would comprise of three double bedrooms, two with en-suites and one with a separate shower room, and a laundry room, with the second floor comprising of two double bedrooms.

The property has currently been empty for over 18 months.

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

To comment on the application visit the Hartlepool Borough Council planning portal online and search reference number H/2019/0490.