6-bed HMO conversion at 161 Wansbeck Road, Jarrow

“Applicants: [name withheld]: Change of use from Class C3 Dwelling House to Class C4 Six-Bedroom house in multiple occupation and insertion of rooflights…”

“A Site visit was conducted on the 20 th July 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 officer noted that the building work already carried out didn’t require planning permission. Parking and character impacts associated with the proposed HMO use would be similar to those associated with the existing dwelling and the site had good access to public transport. Fire safety matters would be addressed under the Building Regulations.”

“Members also noted concerns that this was a residential street with limited parking and that weight should be given to the concerns over emergency services access and issues raised by the Police and the Council’s Community Safety and Housing Strategy teams. There was also concern about drainage matters and the impact of the proposal on the character of the area and the residential amenity of neighbours as this is a wholly residential area.”

“The application was proposed to be rejected by Cllr Ford and seconded by Cllr Fascione.”

“A vote was carried with a unanimous vote to refuse the application for the following reason:”

“The Local Planning Authority considers that the proposed change of use to a House in Multiple Occupation would, as a consequence of the very close proximity of the application property to neighbouring dwellings, the significantly greater intensity of use of the property that would arise both internally and in terms of comings and goings of occupiers/visitors and the location of the application property within a settled residential area of family housing, result in…”