The council are set to make a decision on the plans next week
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Key facts ahead of decision on huge 109-bed HMO in Hull city centre
- Hull City Council‘s planning committee is set to make a decision on an application for a 109-bed HMO in Hull city centre. Property developer Knight Wood Portfolio are seeking permission to turn the former Portland Hotel on Paragon Street into a new housing unit.
- Since its closure in 2012, the former hotel has been the site of a seemingly unfruitful attempt to provide student accommodation in the city centre. At one stage the building was even being used an a cannabis factory.
- In June, the council received plans to turn the site into a 122-bed HMO. The plans saw rooms being spread across 6 storeys, with each room having its own kitchenette. Plans have now been revised, with the number of rooms having been reduced to 109.
- The plans quickly became unpopular with local politicians as the three local ward councillors and Emma Hardy, the area’s MP, all expressed their concerns. Ms Hardy has backed a petition calling for the development, which she says “risks overcrowding and a rise in anti-social behaviour,” to be rejected.
- Concerns were also raised by Humberside Police‘s designing out crime officer who confirmed the force’s desire to oppose the proposals. A letter from them stated: “Some academic research does appear to find a proliferation of HMOs can in part increase the potential for violence due to the particular stresses and insecurities of living in low-quality, crowded accommodation, with shared facilities and little to no choice of co-habitees.”
- The application was brought to the council’s planning committee in September but was deferred to allow the developer to work with Humberside Police to address concerns. After additional security measures were explained by the applicant, the police force has confirmed it has now withdrawn the objection to the plans.
- The application will return to the council’s planning committee on December 3. It is recommended for conditional approval following the signing of a Legal Agreement for an open space contribution of £1160. Ahead of the meeting, James Shepherd, the Director at Knight Wood Portfolio spoke to Hull Live to explain why he thinks the plans are good for Hull and to address politicians’ concerns.
- READ THE FULL STORY: Developers behind controversial 109-room Portland Hotel HMO plans urge people to ‘look at the merits’
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