An application to convert three flats into a nine-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO) in Deckham will be heard by Gateshead councillors next week.
The local authority's planning and development committee will decide on the application to convert three flats at 81 Durham Road into a single HMO. According to the application, the proposed HMO would accommodate up to nine occupants.
Council recommendation to approve
A council planning report has recommended that the application be approved, stating the proposed change of use and works “are acceptable” and, when subject to conditions, would not harm the area's character, amenity, or highway safety. Planners have also highlighted that precedent for such an application has been set by the approval of HMOs at 73A and 73B Durham Road “in directly comparable circumstances”.
However, eight public objections have been logged, ranging from concerns of “overconcentration” of shared accommodation to the loss of family housing, and worries about increased noise and disturbance in the area.
Local councillor objections
Deckham Councillor Patricia Shield has also lodged her objections, including refuse storage, “unsociable hours of movement”, increased cars, and a lack of parking.
The application's management plan states: “The internal layout has been carefully designed to optimise the use of space, providing 9 bedrooms with en-suite facilities for 9 occupants, alongside a contemporary shared kitchen, dining, and living area overlooking the rear garden. The scheme has been developed in accordance with both local and national planning policies and is respectful of the surrounding residential context.
“Additional amenities, including a designated waste storage area and secure cycle parking, will enhance the quality of the development and provide a comfortable and practical living environment for future occupants. Overall, the proposal is considered acceptable in terms of the number of occupants and the standard of accommodation provided.”
