Fresh bid to turn Lowestoft home into HMO for asylum seekers

Controversial change of use plans have been submitted for the third time in the space of just over six months for a seven-bedroom, mid terrace property in Kirkley, south Lowestoft.

Change of use plans have been lodged once more for the property at 47 London Road South, Kirkley in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) The new scheme once again proposes to use the property at 47 London Road South as "essential housing to asylum seekers in partnership with SERCO Ltd", but this time in a six-bedroom House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO).

The fresh bid comes after two previous schemes attracted lots of opposition and were turned down by planners.

A first change of use application to convert the property into a nine-bedroom HMO was lodged with East Suffolk Council in March, and subsequently refused in May under delegated powers, after the scheme was ruled "contrary to relevant policies."

Change of use plans have been lodged once more for the property at 47 London Road South, Kirkley in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) A second bid to convert the property into an eight-bedroom HMO was lodged with East Suffolk Council in June, and subsequently refused last month under delegated powers, after being concluded it was contrary to policies once more, as "the benefits of this type of accommodation in this location do not outweigh the flood risk."

But just two weeks after being refused for a second time, a new, third bid was submitted to East Suffolk Council.

Proposals lodged this time by agents Town Planning Expert - opposed to Principle Design, who'd submitted the previous two schemes - on behalf of the applicant Patrice Elonge were lodged with the council on September 25.

The existing elevations of 47 London Road South, Kirkley in Lowestoft. Picture: Principle Design (Image: Principle Design) Plans for 47 London Road South, Lowestoft centring around "Change of use of the property from a 7-bedroom house to an 6-bedroom HMO are currently "awaiting decision" with the council.

'Vital need for the country to meet its international obligations'

A design and access statement said the application relates to a three storey, seven bedroom Victorian terraced house.

It adds: "This is a change of use of the building only with internal
alterations to remove the ground floor level bedroom and replace this with a living room.

"The owner of the property, working with SERCO, seeks to use this property to house up to six asylum seekers within an HMO use.

The proposed elevations of 47 London Road South, Kirkley in Lowestoft. Picture: Principle Design (Image: Principle Design) "The proposed HMO would be operated and managed by SERCO on behalf of UK Visa and Immigrations (UKVI) to house six asylum seekers in temporary accommodation until their respective cases are decided by UKVI and then transitioned into the care of the local authority."

It concluded: "The proposed development would result in the creation of additional accommodation that provide for an immediate and vital need for the country to meet its international obligations.

Change of use plans have been lodged once more for the property at 47 London Road South, Kirkley in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) "The removal of sleeping accommodation on the ground floor addresses the previous reason for refusal in full as safe refuge can now be provided within the upper floor rooms."

With East Suffolk Council likely to make a decision in the coming weeks, two locals have already lodged objections to the latest proposals.