11-bedroom HMO at 12 Godfrey Road, Sunderland

“Proposal: Conversion from 8no. bedroom care facility into an 11no. bedroom HMO, including associated external changes. Erection of new bin and bike stores.”

“The application seeks planning permission for change of use from an 8no. bedroom care facility to an 11no. bedroom HMO (C4) with associated external changes, new bin and bike stores.”

“The site relates to a large two storey eight bedroomed, detached property in Grindon, which is sited on a corner plot and faces east. The property was formerly a care facility operated by the Local Authority and has been vacant for a number of years. The surrounding land is overgrown, and the windows are currently boarded, due to repeated vandalism.”

“The surrounding area is predominantly residential with open space and various property types of a similar age and design within close proximity.”

“Given the above, it is considered that the proposal would not negatively impact the visual amenity or character of the area, residential amenity of neighbouring dwellings or future occupiers. It would provide a suitable level of accommodation for prospective occupiers in accordance with the NPPF and policies BH1, HS1 and H6 of the CSDP.”

“For the reasons given above and subject to the draft conditions set out below and satisfactory completion of a legal agreement, the proposal is considered to be acceptable. The proposal is not considered to be detrimental to the amenity of nearby residents, future occupants, visual amenity or highway safety.”

“Negative impact on the character of the area and the quality of life for those who currently live here. • 11 one bedroom flats in the middle of a residential area will be completely out of place. • HMOS often involve higher number of people living in a single property which can lead to overcrowding, limited space and increased wear and tear. • Potential for high turnover of occupants.”

“An increase in occupancy at a single dwelling may place additional pressure on local infrastructure and services, including waste collection, drainage, and public amenities, which are currently designed for lower-density housing. • Is level of amenity appropriate for number of residents • there are concerns around noise and anti-social behaviour.”

“The Chairperson referred to Policy HS1 and the adverse impact on local community and the increased parking from not only residents but their visitors and highlighted that the noise impact assessment was to be controlled by a management plan yet no manager would be on site to monitor this.”

“The Chairperson then referred to Policy HS6 relating to proposals not being detrimental to neighbouring properties and felt that the intensification of residents with footfall, noise and vehicle movements would affect the overall residential amenity and therefore placed greater weight to this and proposed an alternative recommendation to reject this application.”