Bid to turn Grade II-listed building into HMO

Plans have been submitted to turn a Grade II-listed building in Cheriton Place, Folkestone, into multiple homes

Plans have been submitted to turn an abandoned Grade II-listed building into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Kent.

Developers want to convert the large former office space in Cheriton Place, Folkestone, into a nine-bedroom residential property, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Labour councillor Liz McShane, who represents Folkestone Central, has welcomed the plans to bring the long-vacant property back into use.

"Its renovation into affordable living accommodation is a positive move, especially given the urgent need for such housing in Folkestone and the surrounding area," she said.

Planning documents say the building was once part of a historical parade from the mid-19th Century, but it has been empty since at least May 2014.

Blue Lava Architecture, submitting the plans on behalf of applicant Louis Dunn, said the extent of the works was "largely limited to cosmetic upgrades, such as minor internal partitioning".

While the proposals are technically for a change of use or conversion from office space to an HMO, the firm stressed it had been empty for so long "no office space would actually be lost under the plans".

The property in Cheriton Place has been abandoned since at least May 2014

A structural survey by Anderson Consulting Engineers "confirms the issues of render failure, water ingress, rot in structural timbers, and window decay", the architects wrote.

They added restoring the building would safeguard its historical significance.

The developer proposes each room would have its own en-suite bathroom and "generous floor areas".

"Converting this building will provide much-needed, affordable living space," the developer said.

Mark Hourahane, vice-chairperson of the New Folkestone Society's planning committee, told the LDRS the organisation did not yet have an official position on the application.

"In general, we do not support HMOs as they generally offer a lower standard of living," he said.

"In this instance, it is an attractive Grade II-listed mid-Victorian building in a Georgian townhouse style.

"It is important heritage buildings that fall into disuse are given a new lease of life that retains the viability of its long-term maintenance."

The date to discuss the outcome of the proposal has yet to be confirmed by Folkestone and Hythe Council.

However, the deadline for public comments on the bid is 25 September.