'Significant public objection' sees Jarrow HMO plans rejected
Nearly 500 people signed a petition to get a Jarrow HMO plan rejected - and they succeeded.
Plans for a new six bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Jarrow have been unanimously refused after a "significant level of public objection" including a 480 signature petition.
Proposals had been submitted to South Tyneside Council planning department to transform the three bedroom property at 12 Surrey Street.
The application, from Andrew Faber at Maytree Property Group, sought to turn the site into a HMO featuring six ensuite bedrooms - with two on the ground floor and four on the first floor.
The ground floor would also have featured a shared kitchen and dining area, while one car parking space would have been provided on the site, along with space for bicycle storage.
‘Significant level of public objection’
The application went before the latest meeting of the local authority's planning committee on Tuesday, May 26, following a "significant level of public objection".
This included an online petition with over 480 signatures and more than 50 responses from residents objecting.
Concerns were raised around parking issues being exacerbated, noise, the rising number of HMOs in the area having a negative impact on the “family” community and potential anti-social behaviour issues.
Three objectors spoke at the meeting to voice their worries over the scheme including Labour's councillor Geraldine Kilgour, Fellgate and Hedworth ward representative.
She said: "I just all in all think it's completely incongruous to its surroundings, it doesn't fit in, it doesn't provide the appropriate local amenity and it should be refused."
Plans are ‘uninamously refused’
Councillors on the committee voted to unanimously refuse the application due to the impact the development would have on the character of the area and the "residential amenity" of surrounding neighbours, along with concerns over car parking.
A report from council planning officers had recommended the development be approved.
It said: "Overall, in this instance there are no identified adverse impacts arising from the proposal that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the development.
"In terms of benefits, the proposal would provide social and economic gains by contributing to reducing the current shortfall in terms of housing supply."
A planning statement in support of the application argued the development would have provided "a high standard of accommodation" and made use of existing housing stock to “support local housing needs without adversely impacting the character of the area”.
It comes after in January plans to convert the property into an eight bedroom HMO were refused following huge public opposition, including a 1,312 signature petition.
The application follows a decision from the council's previous Labour cabinet to launch an "immediate" borough-wide Article 4 Discretion removing permitted development rights for small HMOs, meaning planning permission is now needed for all HMOs in the borough.