Green light likely for conversion of former convent to housing

PLANNERS ARE recommending approval of plans to convert a former convent in Hull into housing, despite objections.

Managers at JRL Homes want to convert The Endsleigh Centre in Beverley Road into 50 ensuite rooms for students and to turn a former chapel into flats. They also want to build 64 new apartments in three three-storey buildings in the grounds.

The Institute of Our Lady of Mercy closed the centre, which was being used most recently as a Catholic retreat, as well as a conference and wedding venue and bed and breakfast, two years ago. The institute, founded by the Irish nun Catherine McAuley in 1831, said at the time that despite repeated efforts, numbers attending retreats had fallen.

There have been 25 letters of objection over the planned development from neighbours, concerned about traffic levels it will generate, as well as disruption from new occupiers and the density of accommodation.

But conservation officers support the scheme, due to be discussed at Hull’s Guildhall tomorrow, saying the character of the conservation area will be maintained as there will be no external alterations to the convent or chapel. They said the new building would be “sensitively located”.

Community environment officer Adam Fowler, of the City of Hull and Humber Environment Forum, agreed the conversion was probably the best way of safeguarding the building’s future.

He said: “As long as the extensive greenspace surrounding the building is maintained and it doesn’t result in overdevelopment, it is probably the only sustainable use for this building and site in the future.”