Plans to turn former hotel into 15-bedroom HMO

Plans to convent a former hotel into a house in multiple occupation for up to 20 people have been recommended for approval by planning officers.

The three-storey building on Knox Road in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, was previously the Paragon Hotel, but more recently was used as a guest house.

If planning permission is granted, the applicant will be able to create a 15-room HMO, with four kitchens, a communal dining room, a laundry room, and office space.

While concerns have been raised about anti-social behaviour and disturbance in the area, the applicant said it is their intention to reopen it as a HMO for young professionals.

They added that the property was previously let to the council to house displaced people.

In the plans, most tenants would have their own en-suite bathrooms, while the basement and attic would house some of the bedrooms, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

There are no proposed off-street parking spaces for future tenants, however, the applicant has stated in its parking survey for the area that there are 130 potential parking spaces nearby and enough free spots to accommodate the HMO.

It also notes that strong links to public transport in the area make it a suitable location for people without a car.

Eight letters of objection were received by North Northamptonshire Council regarding the plans.

Wellingborough Town Council has also objected to the change of use proposals, accusing the plans of being an overdevelopment and having the potential to cause adverse impacts on neighbouring properties.

The highways authority has not objected on the basis of parking, and accepted that there is enough on-street parking in the vicinity.

The plans will be discussed by councillors at a committee meeting on Wednesday.

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