The government has overturned a council decision to refuse planning permission for a 14-bedroom house of multiple occupancy (HMO) in Barrow.

The Planning Inspectorate has granted planning permission for Mr Clark and Mr Gregory to convert 52 Paradise Street into a 14-bedroom HMO after they appealed the decision made by Barrow Borough Council to refuse the application in January.

The proposals include the provision of en-suite bedrooms over three floors as well as communal kitchens and living areas.

Councillors refused the planning application to convert the property, which was previously used by the Cumbria Addictions, Advice and Solutions service, into a HMO despite it being recommended for approval by council planning officers.

According to planning documents, the council received a letter from 18 residents on Harrison Street opposing the application.

The letter stated concerns over the ‘pressure on parking’ in the area as there are only 12 spaces available and those currently with parking permits cannot park outside their homes.

However the inspector’s decision states: “At the time of my site visit, mid-morning on a Thursday which I appreciate is only a snapshot in time, there were a number of vehicles parked on the roads surrounding the site. Signage advising permits was also in place.

“Nevertheless, there were several areas where on-street parking spaces were available. Additionally, there was also availability on nearby private car parks, including the one adjacent to the appeal building.”

The Planning Inspectorate’s decision also states that concerns over the number of HMOs in the area are ‘noted’ but the number of licensed HMOs are ‘well dispersed’ in the surrounding area.

It adds: “Outside of the shopping area and within the surrounding residential streets, I observed quiet and well-kept urban street scenes of what appeared to be predominantly family homes.

“As such, even if I were to accept there are unlicensed HMOs which have not been identified, there was negligible aural or visual evidence, such as litter, noise or parking congestion, one would expect in an area with an imbalance towards HMOs.”

The report from the inspector said there was ‘no cogent evidence’ the proposed HMO would attract people more likely to commit crimes or carry out anti-social behaviour.

It added there was ‘no convincing evidence’ the proposed development would place an unacceptable demand on local services.