14-bed HMO at 61 Ravensworth Road, Gateshead
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Gateshead Planning and Development Committee on 9 Sept 2026.
What was proposed
The application sought to convert a former medical practice into a 14-bedroom HMO for up to 17 residents, with internal and external alterations.
“Proposal: Resubmission - Change of use of former medical practice (Use Class E) to a 14 bed (17 person) House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Sui Generis), including internal alterations, minor external works and replacement windows. (amended plans rec'd 21.08.26)”
“Internally, the proposal would involve the reconfiguration of the former medical practice to provide 14 en-suite bedrooms (accommodating up to 17 residents), together with communal kitchen, living/dining and laundry facilities, associated circulation space, plant and storage rooms, whilst retaining the existing principal staircase and secondary emergency escape stair.”
Officer report
The site and surroundings
The vacant two-storey building is in a local centre, with homes opposite, behind and adjoining it, and parking at the front.
“The application relates to the former Glenpark Medical Centre, which is a two storey detached building located to the western side of Ravensworth Road, Dunston.”
“The site is situated within Ravensworth Road Local Centre as defined by the Council’s Local Plan. The Local Centre designation includes the application site and extends to the south of the site. Page 189 Agenda Item 4vii…”
Officer report
Earlier applications
An earlier HMO application was withdrawn after concerns about residential amenity and highway safety, while a proposal for three dwellings was granted.
“Due to the Council’s concerns relating to residential amenity and highways safety the application was to be recommended for refusal. However, the application was ultimately WITHDRAWN by the agent prior to determination April 2026 Page 190”
“DC/21/01224/FUL- Conversion of existing building to form 3 dwellings for use within Classes C3/C4 (additional information 07.01.2022, 11.01.2022, 07.02.2022) GRANTED February 2022”
Officer report
Consultation responses
Police raised no objection but recommended management and security conditions; fire, housing and waste consultees also raised no objection.
“Police - Northumbria Police raise no objection to the proposal but recommend that the submitted Management Plan and various security measures be secured through planning conditions, whilst expressing concern regarding the potential impact of a large HMO on residential amenity, crime and parking.”
“Tyne Wear Fire Service - No objection to the proposal. Further comments will be made on receipt of a Building Regulations submission.”
Officer report
Objections and support
Councillors and neighbours mainly objected to parking, traffic, noise, overdevelopment, privacy, local services, waste and possible crime, while one person supported the scheme.
“Councillor representations Objections have been received from Councillors Nick Allan and Ward Councillors Graham Keating and Roger Maraj. The Councillors raise concerns regarding parking and highway impacts, overdevelopment, pressure on local services and the effect of the proposal on residential amenity and the local area.”
“Overdevelopment of the site, with concerns that 14 bedrooms/17 occupants represent an excessive intensity of use. • Impact on residential amenity, including concerns regarding noise, disturbance and privacy. • The proposal being out of character with the surrounding area and contributing to an increased concentration of HMOs within Dunston.”
Officer report
The committee’s concern
The committee identified insufficient proposed parking as creating parking concerns in the vicinity of the site.
“The committee received an update report on 8 th September 2026 with further additional objections submitted.”
“That planning permission be REFUSED due to the insufficient level of parking proposed, which would result in parking concerns within the vicinity of the site.”
Minutes
The members' reasons
The members' reasons are quoted from the minutes above, under “The committee’s concern”.
Sources
- Gateshead Planning and Development Committee minutes, 9 September 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Gateshead's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Council
- Gateshead
- Date
- Wednesday 9 September 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Refused, against officer advice
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
- All decisions
- Gateshead committee decisions →
This committee's year
23 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 2 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.