Appeal lodged over blocked HMO plan

The city council blocked plans for the "unacceptable" development in July

A government appointed planning inspector will decide the fate of a shared home after an appeal was lodged.

Sunderland City Council refused plans for a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in the city's Riversdale Terrace in July because of the number already in the area and the risk of anti-social behaviour.

However, the appellant said there was no evidence to support these claims.

A planning inspector will be appointed by the Secretary of State to rule whether the refusal decision will be upheld or thrown out.

Initial plans for the seven-bed site said the HMO bedrooms would offer en-suite bathrooms and some would have kitchenettes.

Council planners said there would be "adequate living space and an acceptable standard of amenity" for future occupants.

However, they concluded the home would be "unacceptable" as it could harm the character and amenities of the area.

They also said its approval would result in the number of HMOs exceeding 10% of all residential properties within 100m (328ft), which went against council planning guidance.

Lack of evidence

Appeal papers said "there is no indication that the existing level of HMO use has caused any material harm to amenity or character in the locality" and that there had been no neighbour objections to the proposal.

The appellant also claimed police concerns over anti-social behaviour "stem from generic assumptions about HMO use rather than site-specific evidence" and were "largely speculative".

Northumbria Police had objected to those living in rooms on the second floor having to "travel the full height of the building to store food and prepare meals", as well as the "small amount of external space" and "potential for anti-social behaviour to spill out into the surrounding locality".

An update on the appeal will be published on the Planning Inspectorate's website once a decision has been made, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.