Two properties that were converted into eight-bed houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs) on the outskirts of Liverpool city centre could have their alterations completely reversed after they were transformed without planning permission.
Despite lacking the appropriate consent from Liverpool Council, two three-storey houses in Kensington Fields have been expanded to eight-bed HMOs - up from six-bedrooms - in 2020. The developer now faces the prospect of completely reverting their changes to the properties after a retrospective application for approval was knocked back by the city council.
Subject to an appeal by applicant Ron Sullivans Ltd, the developer could be forced to undo the alterations it has made and restore the properties to their agreed state. According to the decision document released by the local authority, this was the third application to Liverpool Council for a change of use to the houses as well as amendments to the exterior of the buildings.
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Since the time of the first planning application in 2019 the ground floor doors have been changed and the chimney stack removed without consent. One of the properties also has unauthorised window replacements.
The decision notice said of the second house: “Many rooms include areas which are not considered to be usable space. Many rooms have corridor areas which could not be used for everyday activities and would not provide enough space for furniture.”
The most recent application was rejected in September last year, with concerns raised by councillors about the number of HMOs in the area already. Conservation specialists objected to the latest proposal, while an assessment by council officers said the number of HMOs had “surged in recent years to a point where the concentration is having a significant negative impact upon residential amenity and the character of the area.”
Further criticism of the plans came with regards to the location of a bedroom off the kitchen in one of the houses, which it was said would “create poor living conditions resulting from close proximity to kitchen noise and smells.” Additionally, lofts in the terrace “were not designed to be used as living accommodation.”
The addition of four more bedrooms to the properties would add to “noise levels emanating from within the property and the number of comings and goings from the property to an extent that would impact on the residential amenity of neighbouring residents to an unacceptable degree” according to the documents which also highlighted how the “development would further add to the number of properties in multiple occupancy to the detriment of the residential character of the area.”
In summarising the rejection, Liverpool Council planning officers said while it was “wishing to work with the applicant in a positive and proactive manner in seeking solutions to any problems arising during the course of the application” it was considered that further discussions” would be unnecessary and costly for all parties.”
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