Revised plans for Hastings shared housing scheme

In an application to Hastings Borough Council, a developer is seeking permission to convert a property in St Helens Road into a six-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). 

The application follows on from a previous version of the scheme which was refused by planners earlier this year (and is currently subject to an appeal). 

The earlier scheme was refused as a result of council policy, which seeks to retain large single family homes where possible, as there is considered to be a lack of such properties in the town. 

However, the developer argues that the development plan is out of date and its policies should be given reduced weight.

They also argue that there is little demand for such property on the rental market and that the conversion would make little difference beyond giving the owner more control through individual leases.

In a planning statement, a spokesman for the developer said: “In terms of the physical occupation of the premises there is not a lot of difference between [a dwellinghouse], which allows for groups of people (up to six) living together as a single household and a HMO.

“There is, however, a difference between the two in terms of the way in which premises are rented. In this case the applicant wishes to have six separate lease agreements so as to reduce periods during which the whole house is vacant; hence the application.” 

For further details of the application see reference HS/FA/21/00193 on the Hastings Borough Council website.