Plans to turn B&B into flats approved

Despite plans going ahead, Wellingborough Town Council had raised concerns over the loss of the hotel for the town

Plans to convert a family-run bed and breakfast into flats and houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) have been approved by a council.

The Oak House Hotel on Broad Green in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, is a 14-bed hotel stretching across three buildings.

However, North Northamptonshire Council has approved three planning applications which will see the hotel sectioned off for permanent residential use.

Although it did not submit an objection, Wellingborough Town Council raised concerns over the loss of the hotel for the town.

The plans which were first submitted to the council in February, showed there would be a total of 16 bedrooms, with a kitchen and communal living space.

The building at 8 Broad Green will form the first proposed HMO, consisting of five bedrooms, with 9 Broad Green - currently a hotel entrance, bar and kitchen - will be converted into two self-contained studio flats.

The third building at 10 Broad Green, the largest, will be split into a two-bedroom studio apartment and a seven- bedroom HMO.

The council said there would be "sufficient" parking with spaces provided for tenants as well as on-street parking.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said while there would be changes to the interior of the building, limited changes would be made to the outside of the properties.

Planning officers from North Northamptonshire Council granted permission for the two self-contained studio flats in August and two applications for the HMOs were issued in October.