Five-bed Scarborough house could become HMO for nine people

​Colin Straker has applied to turn a five-bed property at at 40, Gladstone Street in Scarborough into a seven-bed House in Multiple Occuptaion (HMO) for nine people.

​However, neighbours and councillors have objected to the proposed conversion of the property, which is an eight-minute walk away from Scarborough Railway Station.

​According to the applicant, the property is currently underutilised, and its conversion into an HMO would “optimise its use without significantly reducing the availability of family housing in the area”.

​Local residents are “beside themselves” over the scheme, according to councillors on Scarborough Town Council’s community and place committee.

​Speaking at a committee meeting on Wednesday, April 29, Cllr William Stuart said: “The supplementary planning document is clear that no more than 10 per cent of residential properties within a 100-metre radius of an application site should be in HMO use in order to protect community balance and avoid harmful overconcentration.

​He added that the area already “appears likely to meet or exceed the 10 per cent threshold set out”.

​Submitted plans state that a “thorough analysis of the local area has been undertaken to ensure that the introduction of this HMO will not lead to an overconcentration of HMO’s, thereby maintaining the community balance”.

​The applicant added that the HMO would be professionally managed, “ensuring tenant screening, property maintenance, and responsible occupancy”.

​“The conversion ensures minimal impact on local amenities, addresses parking concerns, and contributes positively to the housing mix in Scarborough.”

​However, North Yorkshire Council’s housing team said the proposed floor plans “predominantly consist of self-contained studio units which do not meet the current space standards for the number of occupiers”.

​“The proposed studios fall significantly below the expected minimum standards, with many being approximately half of the required floor space,” officers said.

​A neighbour, Joanne Burnley, said: “There is only parking on one side of the street with double yellow lines on my side of the street.

​“It is hard enough to park in our zone as it is without an extra residence of seven people with the potential of seven more cars. This could really impact the value of our houses on our street.”

“Our street is quite busy with traffic, and with more cars it will become busier.”

​Cllr William Stuart said: “Gladstone Street is a constrained residential street with parking available on only one side of the road. Parking pressures in the locality are already significant. Intensifying occupation to seven unrelated residents is likely to further increase demand for on-street parking in an area that is already struggling to accommodate existing residents and visitors.”

​Cllr Robert Everall added: “I’ve already been contacted by two people who live in Gladstone Street and they are absolutely beside themselves regarding this. They cannot park their cars there as it is.

​“I know that a lot of the neighbours are really, really worried about this.”

​North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the proposal which is currently open to representations from members of the public.