Concerns over plan to convert two-bed house into four bedsits

Planning officers at Doncaster Council are recommending elected members approve plans relating to 13, Stanhope Road in Wheatley.

But the application has been brought before the committee on behalf of Town Ward Coun Tosh McDonald due to concerns over the proliferation of Homes of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the area.

Doncaster Council adopted Article 4 Direction policy in October 2019 which brings the application of HMOs under greater scrutiny from the planning committee after the borough saw a sharp rise in this type of accommodation in places like Wheatley and Hexthorpe.

Policy 10 of the borough’s emerging Local Plan says that proposed HMOs must not result in an over-concentration of the properties within a community.

Documents show that both properties on either side of the application are HMOs but planning officers have said this doesn’t apply because the properties were converted before the Article 4 Direction was adopted.

The Stanhope Road has eight registered HMOs out of a total of 72 addresses equating to 11 per cent of the total street.

The applicant initially proposed five bedsits but removed one of the rooms to form a communal lounge area following concerns from other council departments.

Environmental Health officers have confirmed that based on the revised layout, the applicant would be able to obtain the HMO license and the space standards are ‘satisfactory’ for the proposed use.

Officers added the size of the proposed bedrooms ‘remain on the smaller side’ but the shared kitchen, dining and living space ‘encourages tenants to mix and interact’.

Planning officer Jessica Duffield, said: “The application proposal has not received any neighbour responses and has been amended to satisfy the previous consultee objections.

“This report demonstrates that there are no material planning considerations that would significantly or demonstrably outweigh the social, economic or environmental benefits of the proposal.

“The development would not cause undue harm to neighbouring properties, trees, the highway network or the character of the area.”

Councillors will make a final decision on the proposal at a planning committee meeting at 2pm on Tuesday, July 21.