House in Lowestoft could become new HMO for asylum seekers

Change of use plans have been lodged that could see the house in Lowestoft converted into a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) property for asylum seekers.

A scheme has been submitted to East Suffolk Council for the residential property on Milton Road East.

Plans centring around "A conversion of the existing six bed residential property to an eight bed HMO" are currently "awaiting decision."

The front elevation of the property at 33 Milton Road East in Lowestoft. Picture: True Blue Architecture Ltd (Image: True Blue Architecture Ltd)

With the house on Milton Road East described as "an expansive end of terrace property," the application states: "There will be no major internal or external works carried out as part of this development."

A design and access statement submitted by agents True Blue Architecture Ltd, on behalf of the applicant Patrice Elonge, seeks to change the residential property into a house of multiple occupancy.

With the house "a 2.5 storey end of terrace property" it is described by the agents as "too large to be suitable as a family home."

33 Milton Road East in Lowestoft. Picture: True Blue Architecture Ltd (Image: True Blue Architecture Ltd)

It states: "The applicant holds a property strategy which includes providing accommodation for vulnerable tenants, in this case asylum seekers, who are in much need of additional accommodation across the entire UK.

"As such this is a highly exceptional circumstance as the property will not be run as a privately owned HMO.

"SERCO will be in charge of managing the property."

With a minimum of eight cycle parking spaces to be provided "to promote a car free development," it concludes: "The primary reason for this new HMO will be for use as accommodation to house highly vulnerable tenants, in this case asylum seekers.

"This is a major issue in today's world with suitable accommodation being sought all across the UK, as most councils no longer provide such provision.

"The property itself will be leased to SERCO who have over 7,000 similar properties housing 30,000 vulnerable tenants.

"Therefore this development seeks to help support vulnerable tenants through the provision of well managed rooms within a larger shared household."