Plans refused to turn former Sunderland tanning shop into house of multiple occupation

Earlier this year, plans were lodged with Sunderland City Council to convert 180 Hylton Road into residential accommodation offering four bedrooms.

According to planning documents, the building was previously used by a tanning salon at ground floor level and already has accommodation across the upper floors.

In supporting reports submitted to the council, developers said there was a precedent for the application due to several ground floor conversions to residential accommodation being approved along Hylton Road.

They added the HMO conversion would include new cladding and privacy glass for residents, alongside the benefits of bringing a vacant unit back into use.

However, the city council’s planning department said the application clashed with several policies and refused it earlier this month.

In a report outlining issues, planners said the proposals would be “of detriment to the vitality and viability of the local centre” which has a focus on commercial uses and community facilities.

Planners argued the proposal, if approved, would “erode the available commercial floorspace and introduce a residential use to the street level.”

In addition, council officials said the development would result in an “inadequate level of residential amenity and living conditions for potential occupants.”

This was due to there being “no outlook from the bedroom areas and the limited size of the two bedrooms to the front of the property.”

The plans were officially refused by the council on Thursday, April 15, 2021.

Alongside the lack of “adequate” off-street parking facilities, planners also raised concerns about the visual impact of the conversion.

This included the plans introducing an “uncharacteristic and obtrusive feature within the streetscene, to the detriment of the character and appearance of the locality.”

A council report goes on to say: “The proposed development has been found to be unacceptable in principle given that it would harm the vitality and viability of the local centre.

“It would also be uncharacteristic with regard to visual amenity and provide unacceptable living accommodation for future occupiers.”

For more information on the application, visit Sunderland City Council’s planning portal and search reference: 21/00354/FUL

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