Conversion of ex-hotel into rented housing approved

The building in Wellingborough used to be the Euro Hotel and then most recently the Seen and Heard hostel

An application to convert a former hotel into a rentable house of multiple occupation (HMO) for 20 people has been approved.

The 19-bedroom property on Midland Road in Wellingborough was the Euro Hotel before being repurposed as The Seen & Heard hostel during the Covid-19 pandemic.

North Northamptonshire Council approved the proposal which included a planned four-storey extension on the rear of the building.

Planning officers said the "the proposed use would make a positive contribution" to the town.

The hostel shut last year following a decision by the local authority to stop using it, while the owner said it needed significant investment.

Wellingborough Town Council objected to the plans due to the "overdevelopment of the site [and] negative impact on residents and neighbouring properties".

But the planning document said the scheme would "provide the sustainable reuse of an existing building".

It added the site was "in an existing residential area and near to Wellingborough town centre, with good access by foot and cycle to employment, health facilities, leisure facilities and public transport, including bus services and Wellingborough train station".

The application, by Oliver Mcloughlin, has been approved by North Northamptonshire Council.