3-bed HMO conversion at 7 Armstrong Terrace, South Shields

“Applicants: O’Brien/Nierbos 1 Ltd Proposal: Change of use from ground floor dwelling to a 3 bedroom, 3 person HMO and amendments and insertion of windows and doors…”

“A site visit was conducted on the 22 nd May 2026. The site visit was carried out with the prior approval of the Chair. The need for the site visit in advance was to view the site and consider the objections to the proposals.”

“The Planning Officer delivered a presentation to the committee outlining the contents of the report. It was noted that the application and the next application were related as they were upstairs and downstairs of the same building, but were separate addresses and would be considered as separate applications. It was also noted that Councillor Sybenga had lodged objections based on over concentration in the area, residential and local amenity being impacted and highway issues.”

“Members raised concerns that the shared yard would be a significant issue with the potential for 3 people in the downstairs and 5 in the upstairs having to share, should both applications be approved.”

“A Member raised an issue with the parking, noting that bollards had been placed outside the application property on the corner of Pembroke Terrace and Armstrong Terrace which indicated there had been parking issues previously. They also noted the oversaturation and negative impact to local and residential amenity.”

“The application was proposed to be refused by Cllr H. Wildhirt and seconded by Cllr P Clifton. A vote was carried with 8 votes in favour and 1 votes against with the application refused for the following reason:”

“The Local Planning Authority considers that the proposed change of use to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) would, as a consequence of the increased intensity of residential use and the associated increase in comings and goings that would arise taken together with the cumulative effects of such HMO uses in the locality, adversely impact on the character of the area and upon the amenity of existing nearby occupiers.”