6-bed HMO conversion at 10 Belle Vue Crescent, South Shields

The proposed HMO conversion

Change of use from a dwelling to a six-bed, six-person house in multiple occupation, with rooflights added.

“250805 10 Belle Vue Crescent South Shields NE33 4RD Applicants: Northcrest Estates Ltd Proposal: Change of use from a residential dwelling (C3) to 6 bed, 6 person House in Multiple Occupation [HMO] (C4), and provision of rooflights.”

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 6 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.”

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Who spoke on the application

Two neighbours objected over HMO concentration, parking and antisocial behaviour; the agent argued the area was not oversaturated and management would address concerns.

Members' concerns

Members raised the layout's lack of en-suites, safeguarding, objections from the Community Safety team and police, and the area's existing number of HMOs.

“Members raised concerns over the layout of the proposed development, noting that the lack of en-suites to all rooms was a concern and raised safeguarding worries. They also noted the lack of community and residential cohesion.”

“Members also noted the Community Safety team had raised concerns in their response, as had Northumbria Police.”

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The officer's response

The officer said occupants could not be regulated through planning and, given the number and distance of nearby HMOs, did not consider this an overconcentration.

“The Planning Officer confirmed the occupants of the HMO could not be regulated by the planning system, and any management issues of occupants would be regulated by the Environmental Health HMO Licensing regime. The Officer also confirmed that given the number and distance of HMOs nearby, it was not considered an overconcentration of HMOs would occur should the application be approved.”

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The vote

Members concluded there would be an overconcentration of HMOs and harm to parking and highway safety, then voted unanimously to refuse.

“Members considered that the proposals would adversely affect the character of the area and that there would be an over concentration of HMOs in the area. They also considered the proposal to be unacceptable in terms of its impact on car parking and highway safety.”

“It was proposed by Cllr Brenen and seconded by Cllr Davies that the application be refused. A vote was carried out with members voting unanimously to refuse planning permission for the following reason:”

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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