Council blocks plans for 11-bed HMO

2 hours ago

Chris BindingLocal Democracy Reporting Service

Stephen O'Brien said the move was a "victory for common sense".

LDRS Stephen O'Brien has square glasses and is wearing a yellow football top. He is standing on the road in front of some traffic lights looking unhappy. — Stephen O'Brien said the move was a "victory for common sense".

Plans to turn a former care home into an 11-bedroom HMO have been blocked.

Sunderland City Council's planning committee rejected the plans for the property in Godfrey Road in the Grindon area of the city.

A motion to refuse the plans had been launched by Reform councillor Sandra Hobson-Tate who said the HMO would lead to more footfall, noise, and traffic.

Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen O'Brien said it was a "victory for common sense".

The site has been empty for several years and was described by some residents in a consultation as an "eyesore".

The decision was made despite the city's planners recommending the conversion.

The developer Metters Properties Ltd said the HMO would be for "young professionals" and that it was the most feasible option for the site, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The firm has the right to appeal the decision.

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