Controversial HMO Development Planned for Historic Church Street Building

The Hartlepool Development Corporation will consider the plans submitted recently by a local property developer, however questions are being raised over the number of HMO's being granted approval in the town & whether Hartlepool actually needs them ?....

22nd Jan 2025

Plans have been submitted which could see a historic former solicitors’ office on Church Street being turned into a 26-bedroom House of Multiple Occupation (HMO), reigniting debates about whether such developments in Hartlepool are actually needed ....... Or even Wanted ?.

The applicant, Borthwick Properties, has applied to the Hartlepool Development Corporation for planning and listed building consent to convert the former Smith & Graham Solicitors building in the towns Church Street into yet another controversial HMO, where If approved, the development would see the four-story Victorian property, built around 1850 with its Grade II listed status granted back in 1985, repurposed into an HMO designed to house up to 40 residents.

Whilst the planning statement highlights the building’s original design features and conservation status, it also outlines that the property’s current use as office space is no longer viable, with the owners arguing that the redevelopment is now necessary to breathe new life into the building and make it financially sustainable.

The proposed HMO would feature 26 units, including a mix of single and double bedrooms. Most rooms would be equipped with en-suite facilities and kitchenettes, while three rooms on the ground floor would share a communal kitchen. Additional shared amenities include a communal area in the basement, bike storage, and utility spaces. The developers claim the design meets all relevant local planning policies and aims to provide a high standard of living for future residents but its left many locals wondering just who those residents will actually be ?

There's Concerns from Locals that Hartlepool has 'too many' HMO's already

The project has already sparked some local criticism, with many Hartlepool residents voicing concerns over the growing number of HMO developments appearing in the town, questioning their impact on the local community. There said to be rising apprehension that some of these properties will be used to house illegal immigrants, a prospect that in the past has fuelled public objections in several neighbourhoods where HMO developments have been previously proposed.

Even Cleveland Police have cautioned against poorly managed HMOs, warning they can lead to increased antisocial behaviour and a strain local council resources when those HMO's become poorly managed. For many, the proliferation of such developments in Hartlepool raises questions about whether they truly serve the community’s best interests or merely prioritise profit over people.

A Divided Debate

Whilst the developers present their plans as a solution to preserve and re-purpose a historic property, others sadly arent convinced, with critics arguing the town is already overwhelmed by controversial HMOs. With the burning question on many locals minds being: just how many more of these developments can Hartlepool accommodate before they begin to detract from the town’s character and quality of life?

Have Your Say....

Should Local Councils be BANNED from approving Houses of Multiple Occupancy ?

• YES
• NO