A Jesmond street, already 94% student housing, is set to lose another family home to a five bed HMO conversion.
Newcastle Council approved plans for the conversion, meaning 49 out of 51 houses will now be student places. People worried this street is no longer family-friendly, as this street sits near West Jesmond Metro station.
Jesmond has had student noise issues for years. The council put rules in place back in 2011 to control HMO growth, requiring developers to get permission first.
The council now let the last north side family home become a five-bed HMO because the owners couldn’t sell their home, as it was too big for them.
The owner said they only had four viewings last year, and buyers didn’t like being surrounded by student homes. She thinks the house isn’t family suitable anymore.
However, a residents’ association said the house was overpriced on purpose, believing a family could buy it at a lower price. Police also objected to the plan.
A local councillor called it “defeatist” to give up on the street. He said the street also belongs to the wider community as people use it for transport and services.
One council member feels the HMO policy worked since only three houses became HMOs since the rule began. He thinks the street was already mostly student housing then, but the council owes a duty to the remaining owners, he declared.
He further stated only three houses now didn’t fit the student housing pattern. By a 4-3 vote margin, the council approved the conversion plan, with all Labour members voting “yes” and the three Liberal Democrats voting against it.