New HMO bid for asylum seekers in Kirkley Lowestoft refused

Change of use plans that could have seen a seven-bedroom, mid terrace property in Kirkley, south Lowestoft converted into a nine-bedroom House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) has been turned down following numerous objections.

Change of use plans for the property at 47 London Road South, Lowestoft were refused. Picture: Google Images (Image: Google Images)

A scheme that proposed to use the property at 47 London Road South in Lowestoft "as accommodation for asylum seekers" has been denied after East Suffolk Council ruled the application was "contrary to relevant policies."

The proposals would have seen alterations to the roof, with the insertion of dormer windows and a rooflight to create two extra bedrooms. 

Plans submitted by agents Principle Design, on behalf of the applicant Patrice Elonge, were lodged with East Suffolk Council in March and "refused" on Monday, May 13 under delegated powers.

The proposed drawings for the change of use plans. Picture: Principle Design (Image: Principle Design)

It comes after a separate scheme to turn a six-bedroom property at Milton Road East in Lowestoft into "an eight bed HMO (Sui Generis)" with housing for asylum seekers was "permitted" by East Suffolk Council under delegated powers and given the go-ahead last week.

A design and access statement said: "The current condition of 47 London Road South is poor and run down.

"It is the intent of the applicant that this property, once converted, will be handed over to Serco who will fully manage and maintain the property, providing accommodation for asylum seekers."

The home on London Road South, Kirkley in Lowestoft. Picture: Principle Design (Image: Principle Design)

But with Lowestoft Town Council recommending refusal of the application, East Suffolk ward councillors Gooch and Byatt lodged objections and concerns were raised with 25 local representations objecting to the scheme, it was refused this week.

Some of these concerns centred around fears over a rise in anti-social behaviour in an already deprived area, overdevelopment and "potential disorder and harm" linked to the potentially vulnerable occupants.

Concerns were also raised that the house was already being used as a seven-bedroom HMO, as opposed to the permitted use as a dwelling — making it both unlawful and unlicensed.

Change of use plans for the property at 47 London Road South to be converted have been refused. Picture: Principle Design (Image: Principle Design)

A delegated report from the council's case officer highlighted some of these concerns and added the proposals would not only fail to preserve the character of the conservation area but also lacked evidence as to how the large HMO would be managed.

'Evidence is lacking'

It states: "In regard to the key test for new HMO use, 'exceptional circumstances' should be fully addressed and explained, along with potential management of the dwelling to prevent issues such as anti-social behaviour.

"The design and access statement refers to the property being handed over to SERCO to manage and maintain.

"Some email evidence is provided by the applicant to the planning authority from SERCO, but the level of information is very limited, and there is a lack of detail about the number or duration of tenants, the length of occupancy, how the property would be managed day-to-day, or how matters of anti-social behaviour would be dealt with.

"It has not been fully demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority, how the use of this property, as a large HMO, represents an exceptional case and would be managed and maintained, as evidence is lacking in this regard.

"There is no recent planning history relating to the existing HMO, which is unlawful and unlicensed; therefore, the lawful use of this property is a dwelling."

The application is "therefore contrary to a policy in the adopted Waveney Local Plan (2019) which states that "exceptional circumstances will need to be demonstrated for the conversion to Houses in Multiple Occupation or bedsits, as opposed to self-contained flats, to be permitted."

A council spokesman this week said: "The application has been refused.

"We will investigate further and consider in due course if any formal enforcement action is appropriate.

"The applicant also has a right of appeal against the refusal of the application and, if appealed, then we will defend that decision through the appeals process."