Why bid to expand Southwick HMO has been blocked by Sunderland City Council

Sunderland City Council’s planning and highways committee have voted to reject an application for 83 Thompson Road in the city’s Southwick ward.

Plans submitted in 2025 sought permission to change the use of the property from a “six-bed, six-person HMO” to a “six-bed, nine-person HMO” by “allowing double occupancy” in three bedrooms.

The applicants maintained there was a “well established demand for high-quality rented accommodation in Sunderland, particularly for double occupancy rooms” and a “growing need for high-end HMO properties aimed at young professionals seeking affordable living options”.

It was noted that “the local rental market has come under increasing pressure due to strong tenant demand and limited availability of suitable housing” and that there was an “ongoing imbalance between supply and demand for shared accommodation in the area”.

Developers added that “allowing double occupancy” in three bedrooms “provides a practical response to this demand”.

During a council consultation exercise, there were four objections raising concerns about impacts on residential amenity, highway safety, impact on property values and more.

Council planning officers, in a report published ahead of the committee meeting, had recommended the application for refusal after raising parking and highway safety concerns.

A representative for the applicant, speaking at the meeting, said the council’s comments around car parking demand were based on an “assumption” and also noted that the development provided cycle parking.

After being put to the vote, the planning application was refused by the planning and highways committee.

For more information, visit Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website and search for reference 25/02328/FUL.