'Not really adequate facilities': HMO application refused again
Plans for a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Jackson Road, Scunthorpe, have been rejected by councillors for a second time.
North Lincolnshire Council 's planning committee refused plans for a ten-bed HMO at a vacant property in spring. A revised application for an eight-bed HMO was made in the summer.
Councillors were not convinced the changes made enough of a difference on adequate living space and unanimously refused it, earlier this month. The Jackson Road property used to have a grocery store, but has been disused for some time.
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Read on below about the HMO refusal and recent planning applications made in North Lincolnshire.
Jackson Road
"The reduction in bedrooms is to address the reasons for refusal last time," said agent David Shepherd on behalf of the HMO applicant. Adequate living conditions was part of the refusal reasons, and now there would be greater communal space.
The four car park spaces would also work out at a half per bedroom average. The applicant already manages 19 and 14-bed homes in Scunthorpe area, he said, and "they have had no reports of any anti-social behaviour whatsoever."
Cllr John Davison said: "I've carefully compared it to try and understand what the differences are that would make me change my mind." He was unconvinced, and reminded the rest of planning committee there were 36 objection letters to the original application. "Yes, we've got a rundown shop, yes, it could be made into a nice family home, rather than an HMO.
"There's not really adequate living facilities. You've got eight bedrooms and with one kitchen and one dining area." Cllr Max Bell agreed: "I don't think this is a substantive change from the previous application."
He and Cllr Len Foster both referenced council proposals to have selective licensing areas in Scunthorpe. These will require landlords to have a licence in certain areas and meet certain housing standards. "The sooner we get to the position, the better," said Cllr Foster.
Despite its refusal, the Jackson Road HMO application is potentially not over yet. Mr Shepherd stated if it was refused, it was "highly likely" the applicant would appeal. He also indicated it would be an appeal against the original ten-bed application's refusal.
Thealby homes
Outline permission is being sought for four homes on land behind 7-19 Normanby Road, Thealby. Paul Matthews Architectural Ltd on behalf of applicant Bluespot Investments Ltd, state the existing Normanby Road homes "benefit from a considerable expanse of underused land".
Some of this is concrete hardstanding, and where attempts have been made to develop the land as a garden, "it has become difficult to maintain". The four homes would present an opportunity "to make good use of some residual land" without undue harm to the street scene.
Paul Matthews Architectural Ltd also suggest in a document that Thealby " is lacking a stock of new homes for residents, particularly of a terraced size that could provide affordable housing".
School plans new assembly hall and entrance
Melior Community Academy in Chandos Road, Scunthorpe, wants to build a new school hall and main entrance. The secondary school, part of Delta Academies Trust, has around 800 pupils.
Its school building and grounds were built after an application and amendments in 2009 and 2010. It currently has a mixed use area for dining and assemblies. Its reception is located near the heart of the building, meaning visitors have to walk across the open site before being registered in.
A new hall and drama studio is proposed north of the school. The hall would have a capacity for 300, with 214 tiered seating. Also proposed is a new, secure front door at the eastern end of the current building.
The new reception and lobby would replace an existing meeting room. The current reception would become student services.