Hull to block 122-bed HMO
Fears from councillors, the police, and locals over increased crime levels have led to a recommendation to refuse investor Knight Wood’s plans to convert a derelict hotel on Paragon Street into a home of multiple occupancy.
Following the submission of plans in July, pre-application meetings with the council confirmed the change of use ‘acceptable’ in principle.
Architect Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson and advisor Avison Young make up the project team, with designs including the 122 bedrooms, a laundry room and communal kitchen on each floor, and shared facilities such as a gym, cinema room, and working pods.
Each city centre bedsit would also have its own bathroom and basic kitchen facilities.
Following Portland Hotel’s chequered past as – in chronological order – a hotel, failed student accommodation, vacant building, and cannabis factory, KWP believes it can breathe new life into the site.
The investment company has pointed out that development finance would be difficult to obtain, as 33 investors have previously been scammed in relation to the property leading to notices on the title – however, KWP is able to fund the project itself.
Cllr Fudge, a Labour candidate, has been vocal about her concerns over the problems it could cause the city centre, as well as about the number of rooms, the small size of the rooms, and the lack of access for disabled people.
In its report, the council’s urban design officer noted the rooms are too small in terms of the space standards for flats – something KWP contests, as the investor is applying for use as an HMO and not for residential.
Humberside Police has also opposed the application, again on potential increased crime grounds.
Explaining the recommendation for refusal, the committee report points to data showing a correlation between HMOs and increased crime levels.
KWP has responded: “The context of the history of the existing building being a former cannabis factory, in the city centre of Hull, should not be forgotten.
“The proposals will rejuvenate the vacant building, providing an active use (which itself will have contributed to the crime statistics) and will have a beneficial impact on the area.”
Among the concerns presented to Cllr Fudge by residents, the following have been included for the council to debate:
- ‘The council has commissioned a bold vision for the regeneration of the city centre. If we are going to achieve that vision, we must ensure that the local plan policies support the delivery of quality family and individual housing and prevent the development of mega HMOs such as this.’
- ‘The centre of town is turning into a no-go area already… You can barely see local people in the centre of town anymore and additional numbers added to those at the Royal Hotel are unacceptable.’
- ‘It is described as single units yet shows various flats with double beds, the flats don’t comply with minimum floor space, the kitchen areas don’t comply with workspace area.’
- ‘The proposal is for over a hundred studio apartments that do not meet the space standard of 39m² set out in the local plan.’
Hull’s planning committee will meet and discuss the project on 3 September.
