Objections over plan to turn former Doncaster hotel into 20-bed home

Applicant Anna Ang wants permission to convert the Kellett Hotel on Thorne Road, into a development aimed at attracting 'young professionals'.

Planning officers at DMBC are recommending the plans should be approved but the final decision will fall to councillors on the planning committee.

The plans also include space for an 18-bay car park.

The applicant said said the home of multiple occupation (HMO) will follow the ‘boutique standard’ decor the hotel originally had as well as a cleaner and ‘handyman/gardener’ with one living on site.

But the plans have prompted objections from local residents.

Comments were not available for public view but concerns were raised over density of the property and an increase in noise and anti-social behaviour.

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Questions were also raised over whether the conversion would contradict the council’s own Local Plan.

Other people said there is ‘not enough capacity in local services’ to support any more HMOs, in terms of hospitals and GP surgeries and the proposals would have a ‘detrimental impact on the surrounding area’.

Other issues raised included the ‘type of people’ who reside in HMOs but planning officers said this was ‘not a material planning consideration’.

Following changes to planning rules, any applicant who submits proposals to convert a property into five or more HMOs must come before councillors on the planning committee.

Planning agent Ron Henderson, on behalf of the applicant, said: “When the hotel was taken over as the Kellet Hotel the whole building was renovated and as a result the current rooms of the property are considered to be boutique standard. This standard will be maintained throughout this new form of accommodation.

“The aim is to cater for professional tenants working locally who will find the material standard of the communal spaces and individual rooms an obvious attraction.

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“As the current planning unit is in use as a hotel, it means the proposed use will not affect a single-family property & reduce the number of residential units available on the local market.

“The Kellett HMO will be different in that it will be managed together with a cleaner and general handyman/gardener. One of these aforementioned professionals will reside on the premises.”

Doncaster Council planning officer Alicia Murray, said: “Officers have identified no adverse economic, environmental or social harm that would significantly or demonstrably outweigh the benefits identified when considered against the policies in the planning framework taken as a whole.

“The proposal is compliant with the development plan and there are no material considerations which indicate the application should be refused.”

Councillors will make a final decision at a meeting in Civic Office on Tuesday, January 7 at 2pm.

Members of the public are welcome to attend.

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