Locals oppose plan for flats
HMO PLANS FOR FORMER SURGERY REFUSED
Plans to transform a former doctors surgery into a house of multiple occupation (HMO) have been rejected by Sunderland City Council.
In September, Sunderland Accommodation Services lodged a ‘change of use’ application for the former Roker Family Practice in Roker Avenue.
New plans included building dormer extensions at the front and rear of the property to help boost room space to six flats.
This followed an earlier bid for a five-bedroom ‘dwelling house’ which was withdrawn following obapplication jections over the amount of shared accommodation in the area.
On Thursday, November 8, council planners refused the application over the appearance of the extensions, parking pressures and a recommendation from Northumbria Police.
A decision notice reads:“The local police has advised that the issue is around community cohesion and that approval of the would undermine efforts by both police and council to manage resident unhappiness which was very evident over the summer.”
In June, calls were made to tighten up rules that allow landlords to turn houses in high-capacity flats as Roker residents looked to return streets to family homes.
The appeal by the Rokereye residents’ group came after it was revealed 60 per cent of 170-plus properties in Roker were classed as HMOs, with up to 10 people living at some addresses.
Residents added the rise of HMOs in the area had led to issues around drug use, fly-tipping, bags of waste being left in back lanes and noise concerns.