Large HMO plan for South Bank sparks police worries over potential community strain. Public can comment.
The pub is the Old Station Arms, on Old Station Road in South Bank. Developers want to make it into self-contained bedsits.
The plan says the building is unused. The conversion would provide affordable rent and use the Tilbury Road access point. Thirteen parking spots are planned, along with bike storage and bins.
The HMO would have 30 rooms for people, aligning with the need for cheap housing. Living spaces would be communal.
The building will have major updates that consider the area and facilities. This offers affordable housing in South Bank while reusing a building. CCTV, secure entry, and on-site staff are planned to address community worries. Parking should prevent more traffic.
A police officer, Steve Cranston, has concerns, citing the number of people and location. HMOs can cause issues due to the concentration of single adults.
Poorly run HMOs add to police workload and can hurt the local area. Good management is vital if approved, as other local HMOs could worsen issues. People can comment until month’s end.
South Bank has approved some HMO plans, some targeting workers at the Teesworks site. They hope to use the industrial site’s growth.