Objections lodged against plan to split Hartlepool property into six flats

Proposals were submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council planning department earlier this year 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.

The plans, from applicant Code Property Developments, based in Darlington, stated the proposals would benefit the area.

However residents from the surrounding area have hit out over the proposals, with half a dozen objections submitted to the council to date over the plans.

Concerns raised include how the street is seeing an increasing number of HMOs, which residents said is harming the area and could lead to increased anti-social behaviour, littering, parking issues and more.

One Milton Road resident said: “The area is going downhill as more and more of these lovely properties are turned into bedsits/contained flats.

“At present and for a long time the parking areas outside of most of the adjoining streets are already overcrowded which will/could cause possible restrictions for emergency services.

“There will also be more noise/nuisance to properties adjoining and to the others close by with slamming of alleyway gates at all hours of night and music playing.”

A Grange Road resident said: “The prospect of anti-social behaviour in an area with lots of families must not be risked.

“Obviously there are concerns about the already challenged house prices being further eroded.”

Residents also raised concerns that the plans come after earlier this year proposals were approved for another eight-bed HMO at 68 Grange Road.

Another Grange Road resident said: “Why do we need another to be converted and for eight individuals no less.

“Grange Road already has extensive parking issues, why would you even consider adding to this problem?”

A Design and Access Statement from Planning House, on behalf of applicant Code Property Developments, stated 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.”

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’.

A decision is expected to be made on the plans in the coming months.

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