East Riding Council’s Eastern Area Planning Sub-Committee has given the green light to plans for transforming two former guest houses and a disused hotel in Bridlington into houses of multiple occupation (HMOs). The guest houses located in Vernon Road and Windsor Crescent, as well as the hotel on Princess Street, will undergo conversion to meet the increasing demand for affordable housing in the area. The project is expected to address housing shortages and provide accommodation for working-class residents such as taxi drivers and hospitality industry employees.
Applicant Paul Morrison from UK Community Homes Ltd highlighted the importance of these plans in regenerating the local housing market by investing £700,000 into revitalizing run-down properties. He emphasized that the HMOs would be well-managed, carefully selecting tenants through an interview process, and catering to the needs of employed residents in the town. Morrison explained that concerns about HMOs were often rooted in examples of poorly managed properties, but his project aimed to provide suitable housing without housing ex-offenders or substance abuse victims.
While some objections were raised, including concerns about potential increases in crime and disorder and negative effects on neighboring guest houses, the council’s planning officers recommended approving all three plans, stating that there was no evidence of detrimental impact. Bridlington Town Council and the nearby guest house owner opposed the concentration of HMOs, expressing serious concerns about potential disruption.
However, Committee member Cllr Thomas Robson from the Bridlington North ward argued against judging the application solely based on assumptions about future tenants. He acknowledged that drug-related incidents had occurred in the area but pointed out that similar conversions had been approved in other locations. Cllr Robson emphasized the need to consider the benefits and drawbacks and concluded that there was no justifiable reason to reject the plans.
By repurposing these former guest houses and hotel into HMOs, Bridlington takes a step towards addressing the demand for affordable housing while attempting to avoid the negative consequences associated with poorly managed properties. The approved housing conversions aim to provide suitable accommodation for the working class, contributing to the regeneration of the local housing market and the overall development of the town.
FAQ Section:
Q: What is the purpose of the plans approved by the East Riding Council’s Eastern Area Planning Sub-Committee?
A: The plans aim to transform two former guest houses and a disused hotel in Bridlington into houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) to address the increasing demand for affordable housing in the area.
Q: Who is the applicant behind these plans?
A: The applicant is Paul Morrison from UK Community Homes Ltd.
Q: What is the intended outcome of the housing conversions?
A: The project aims to regenerate the local housing market and provide suitable accommodation for working-class residents, such as taxi drivers and hospitality industry employees.
Q: How will the HMOs be managed?
A: The HMOs will be well-managed, with tenants carefully selected through an interview process to cater to the needs of employed residents in the town.
Q: What concerns were raised regarding the plans?
A: Some concerns included potential increases in crime and disorder and negative effects on neighboring guest houses.
Q: Why were the plans recommended for approval by the council’s planning officers?
A: The planning officers stated that there was no evidence of detrimental impact and recommended approval of all three plans.
Definitions:
1. Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs): Properties that are shared by multiple individuals or households, typically having separate rental agreements for each individual room.
2. Regeneration: The process of revitalizing and improving an area, often involving physical, economic, and social changes.
3. Working-class: Referring to people from lower-income backgrounds or those employed in manual labor or service industry jobs.
4. Planning officers: Officials responsible for reviewing and assessing planning applications submitted to the council.
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