Offices in Lowestoft set to become new HMO for students

Change of use plans for a new eight-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO) in Lowestoft have been given the green light.

The scheme - which was amended from an original nine-bedroom application - will see the eight-bed HMO created at the three storey mid-terrace office site on Battery Green Road, Lowestoft.

Plans centring around: "Change of use from offices to Sui Generis to allow for an eight bed HMO" with "no significant external changes" being made as part of the proposed works, were approved under delegated powers this week.

Proposals to convert the offices at 5 Battery Green Road, Lowestoft into an HMO to be "used by students" had been lodged by agents True Blue Architecture Ltd for applicant Daniel Shreeve, on behalf of Shreeve Property Ltd, with East Suffolk Council in June and were "permitted" on Wednesday, September 4.

A design and access statement said the property has five bedrooms that are currently in use as offices, as well as two lounge areas and a dining area, but is "no longer fit to be a family home" as it is "too large."

It added: "The applicant is applying to convert the property into student accommodation due to the increased demand in the area."

However, two locals lodged objections to the proposals with concerns over the "number of HMOs approved recently in the area" and "impacts arising from proposed use."

Lowestoft Town Council's planning committee met in July and recommended refusal of the application "as it is contrary to the Waveney Local Plan as there is no demonstration of exceptional circumstances to allow for the conversion to a HMO within the conservation area."

With East Suffolk council's officer recommendation of approval "contrary to the recommendation received from the Town Council," the application went before a referral panel for consideration - with it agreed the "application could be delegated to the Head of Planning, Building Control and Coastal Management."

A delegated report from the council's case officer said: "The HMO is proposed to be used for student accommodation, and as such is judged to meet the criterion of an ‘exceptional circumstance’ required by Local Plan policy.

"The proposal is also not considered to give rise to any adverse impacts upon the amenity of neighbouring land users, the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, nor highway safety."

With the HMO proposed to be used by students, it added: "Officers are satisfied that this proposal provides a form of accommodation that is genuinely required by students likely attending East Coast College in town, and therefore the exceptional circumstance test is met."

'Increasing opportunities'

Last month East Coast College said it has "identified a need for further accommodation" for its students in Lowestoft.

Paul Padda, principal and CEO of East Coast College, said the college has identified a need for further accommodation for its students. Picture: East Coast College (Image: East Coast College)

With a need for new student rooms to be created to meet an increased demand for places, Paul Padda, principal and chief executive of East Coast College, said it is supportive of "increasing opportunities for our learners" having identified a need for further accommodation for students, "particularly those on our Maritime study programmes in Lowestoft."

Recommending the change of use plans for 5 Battery Green Road in Lowestoft for approval subject to conditions, a decision notice letter stated: "Permission is hereby granted by East Suffolk Council."