D-day over plans for 11-bed Sunderland HMO after hundreds object
Controversial plans to convert a former care facility into an 11-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) are due to go before councillors for decision.
Sunderland City Council’s planning and highways committee will discuss and vote on the future of 12 Godfrey Road in the Grindon area after the proposals attracted hundreds of opponents.
Supporting documents submitted with the plan said the property formerly operated as a council care facility but has been “vacant for several years and has subsequently fallen into a state of disuse.”
A submitted management plan said Metters Properties is an accredited landlord with the council and noted the property would be licensed with the local authority, ensuring it is “safe, well-maintained and providing a good living environment for tenants”.
It was noted that the target demographic for the property is “young professionals seeking high-quality, low maintenance living in a well-managed environment.”
During a council consultation exercise on the plans there was significant public opposition, including around 40 public objections raising a range of concerns.
Public concerns included impacts on residential amenity around noise, privacy, visual amenity and antisocial behaviour, along with fears about waste generation, “overdevelopment”, increased traffic and congestion and more.
Council planning documents also confirmed there was a 470-signature petition submitted opposing the co-living HMO scheme.
Elsewhere, there were 20 representations in support, with comments welcoming plans for the “eyesore” derelict building and describing the development as a “positive and much needed improvement”.
One comment said the plan, if approved, would “do nothing but lift the area and everybody who lives around and opposite the property.”
Council planning officers, in a report published ahead of next week’s decision-making planning and highways committee, have recommended the HMO for approval.
It was noted that the proposal is “not considered to be detrimental to the amenity of nearby residents, future occupants, visual amenity or highway safety.”
The meeting is scheduled to start at 5.30pm and will be open to the public.
For more information, visit the council’s planning portal website and search for reference 26/00514/FUL.