Plans to allow a four-storey house to become a shared home for up to seven people are due to go before councillors next week.
And a report recommends that Brighton and Hove City Council’s Planning Committee grants permission to convert 19 New England Street into a house in multiple occupation (HMO).
The report said that the house was currently used as a short-term holiday let but its legal use was as a home.
Six per cent of the properties within 50 metres are currently HMOs. This is below the 10 per cent saturation in West Hill and North Laine ward that would mean a refusal to grant planning permission would be in keeping with the council’s planning policies.
Across the wider neighbourhood, 2 two per cent of properties were currently shared houses, below the 20 per cent city-wide level that would justify a refusal.
The applicant, John Robinson, submitted a planning statement, prepared by his agent Lewis and Co Planning.
It said: “The use of the property will remain residential in character and the building will continue to function as a conventional domestic dwelling.
“New England Street is characterised by relatively large residential properties which typically accommodate higher occupancy levels than a standard two-storey terraced house.”
Seven neighbours have objected to the application, citing concerns about noise, the loss of family homes and the high turnover of occupants.
One anonymous objector, whose details were redacted by the council, said: “The area is already sensitive to noise and disturbance. Several families with young children live immediately adjacent to the property.
“Given its location in a dense neighbourhood close to Brighton station, the increased comings and goings, late-night activity and high turnover associated with an HMO would directly and negatively affect nearby households.”
Another anonymous objector, whose details were also redacted, said: “Family homes are increasingly scarce and converting them into multi-occupancy units only worsens this problem for local families who are struggling to find suitable accommodation.
“Furthermore, this type of conversion typically results in increased pressure on local parking, bins and communal facilities as well as a higher turnover of residents which can negatively impact the sense of community in the neighbourhood.”
The council’s Planning Committee is due to meet at Hove Town Hall at 2pm next Wednesday (6 May). The meeting is scheduled to be webcast.
