Plans to transform a former ‘family home’ into HMO in Barrow approved

Members of the Barrow planning committee voted unanimously to give the green light to plans to transform a former ‘family home’ into an HMO on Ramsden Street.

The HMO will consist of seven bedrooms ranging in size from 7.3 to 17m², a kitchen/living area and a plant room in the basement.

A petition opposing the plans received 13 signatures and the council received a further three objections.

In a report prepared for the local area planning committee objectors stated the ‘loss of a family home’ and ‘the potential for noise and fly tipping’ as reasons for opposing the plans.

Objectors added: “Almost every empty property is being bought by out-of-town developers to turn them into HMOs with complete disregard to local communities living in the area.”

The planning officer allayed concerns over noise and other anti-social behaviour in the report prepared for the meeting.

The report states: “This will be a licensed HMO, there will be a requirement under the license that the property is properly managed. The neighbours will be given the contact information for the agent should there be any issue with the future tenants. This should be sufficient to address any concerns and ensure they are dealt with.”

The report also addressed objectors concerns on the number of HMOs in the area, pointing out it brings ‘considerable inward investment’ into the area.

It said: “The market is reacting to demand and the availability of larger houses is offering a solution to that demand.

“This is a positive step as it is resulting in considerable inward investment to the town centre periphery area, whereby houses in poor condition are being renovated, and local suppliers and tradespersons are also benefiting.

“The alternative is that these houses remain in poor condition, often empty and attracting anti-social behaviour, which in turn, could be argued, leads to a loss of social and community cohesion.”