5-person HMO conversion at 34 Alnwick Road, South Shields

The proposed HMO conversion

Change of use from a dwelling to a five-person house in multiple occupation.

“260030 34 Alnwick Road South Shields, NE34 0LB Applicants: [name withheld]: Change of use from C3 dwellings to C4 House in Multiple Occupation [HMO] (5 persons)”

Minutes

A site visit before the meeting

A site visit was carried out beforehand to view the site and consider the objections raised.

“A site visit was conducted on the 13 th March 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.”

Minutes

Who spoke against the scheme

Two neighbours objected, citing poor communication and mess during building work and concern over the number of HMOs in the area.

The officer's response and members' concerns

The officer confirmed concentration of HMOs nearby had been considered; members raised bin storage, residential amenity and antisocial behaviour.

“The officer noted that the application was to consider this building, and whilst weight can be given to the concentration of house of multiple occupants, the application was not for the not the wider borough and that the occupants were not a factor that could be considered. Within the officer’s report they had considered concentration of house of multiple occupants within the immediate area.”

“A Member queried the number of bins that would be provided to properties as they were concerned about the potential overflow of rubbish. It was understood they would receive 2 of each bin (general and recycling). It was noted that this wouldn’t be classed as a planning concern, only a planning condition was recommended with respect of bin storage, however members raised the point that the overall situation was a resident concern that couldn’t be ignored when it was raised.”

Minutes

The vote

The application was proposed for refusal and the committee voted unanimously to reject it.

“It was proposed by Cllr Ford and seconded by Cllr Hamilton that the application be refused. A vote was carried out with members voting unanimously in favour of refusing planning permission, for the following reason:”

Minutes

The reasons for refusal

Refusal was based on cumulative harm to the area's character and amenity, and an unacceptable impact on parking and highway safety.

“The Local Planning Authority considers that the proposed change of use to a House in Multiple Occupation would, as a result of the cumulative effects of such uses in the area, adversely impact on the character of the area and upon the amenity of existing occupiers, and have an unacceptable impact on parking and highway safety in the area, contrary to Policy DM1 of the South Tyneside Local Development Framework, Policy 16 of the South Tyneside Publication draft Local Plan and…”

Minutes